Front, Back, Face, Movement, Case mark, Maker's mark, Face with latch, 2nd view of movement, Movement joint, 3rd view of movement, Edge view of movement

This watch is unusual in that the movement appears to be custom made for the case. It is not uncommon to have cases made for special movements but the reverse is uncommon.

The case is an early example of a hunting case in which there is no bezel or crystal. The first hunting cases were simple adaptations of the consular style case with the cover replacing the crystal and bezel. As in this example there is no provision for a bezel or a crystal inside the cover. The hallmark dates the case to 1819/1820 and there is an inscription that gives the date of July 1821, which is consistent.

The Barraud movement is the "standard" Barraud caliper all brass movement except that it is arranged to wind through the dial. The hunting case provides a bit more protection for the movement than a consular case and also represents a savings in cost by the elimination of the back cover. The serial number of 2/5673 would date movement to the 1855 to 1860 time frame or about 35 to 40 years later than the case. This is the only front winding Barraud movement I have seen and I believe it was custom made for this case. The modification is fairly simple since it only requires that the fusee arbor be extended beyond the pillar plate with a winding square.

The movement has an additional unusual feature. Normally the adjustments to the balance consist of shaving the bottom side of the balance or drilling out material to put it in poise. This balance has two buttons of a silver colored metal that seem to perform the same function but add weight rather than removing it.

It is speculation but likely that the family wanted to re-use the case after the original movement suffered some kind of damage.