Name for decorative Hunter case treatment:

Spad35 · Dec 25, 2021

First ! Merry Christmas to all:
Now, my problem. Thanks to OMG04 and Canuck I at least now know how to ask my question.
I have a ~1908 Hunter cased Omega pocket watch that I've had for many years. Every once in a while I've tried to find another like it on the web with no success. I'm curious what the decorative case treatment is called. Both members I mentioned suggested that I add some photos to my inquiry. So, I shall.
Thanks

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Canuck · Dec 25, 2021

You will notice the mark .875 inside the covers of your watch. Along with that is the symbol of a standing bear, facing left. The .875 means the case is made of silver alloy which is 87.5% pure. The standing bear is the symbol applied by the Swiss marking system that indicates the standard of .800 fine, or .875 silver alloy. These symbols were approved by the Swiss in 1880, so that helps date your watch. Of course, the cuvette (inner cover) indicates a date after 1900. You have indicated 1908 as the year. There is a lot of information provided in this link that you should find interesting. The case style is called a “hunter” case.

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/swisshallmarks.php#875silver

In a previous reply to your original post, I mentioned that the case on your watch appears to have been die struck, leaving a prominent foreground, and a sunken background. This background has been decorated with niello which made of a mixture of elements, the case components then being fired in a kiln at about 1000° F for about an hour, to cause the elements to melt and flow. This results in a metallic looking decoration. If you type niello in a search engine, you can find out more about it.

The mechanism appears to be a 15-jewel, jewelled lever, stem wind, stem set, standard Omega caliber. Nice, but not high grade.

The dial appears to be in fine condition. Considering the watch is close to 110 years old, you might wonder how the dial looks so good. It is vitreous enamel…..basically, glass. Lasts forever, provided careless handling doesn’t damage it. The fancy hands have survived. That is unusual, as they are delicate.

Let us know what more you find out about your watch.

Spad35 · Dec 27, 2021

Canuck
You will notice the mark .875 inside the covers of your watch. Along with that is the symbol of a standing bear, facing left. The .875 means the case is made of silver alloy which is 87.5% pure. The standing bear is the symbol applied by the Swiss marking system that indicates the standard of .800 fine, or .875 silver alloy. These symbols were approved by the Swiss in 1880, so that helps date your watch. Of course, the cuvette (inner cover) indicates a date after 1900. You have indicated 1908 as the year. There is a lot of information provided in this link that you should find interesting. The case style is called a “hunter” case.

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/swisshallmarks.php#875silver

In a previous reply to your original post, I mentioned that the case on your watch appears to have been die struck, leaving a prominent foreground, and a sunken background. This background has been decorated with niello which made of a mixture of elements, the case components then being fired in a kiln at about 1000° F for about an hour, to cause the elements to melt and flow. This results in a metallic looking decoration. If you type niello in a search engine, you can find out more about it.

The mechanism appears to be a 15-jewel, jewelled lever, stem wind, stem set, standard Omega caliber. Nice, but not high grade.

The dial appears to be in fine condition. Considering the watch is close to 110 years old, you might wonder how the dial looks so good. It is vitreous enamel…..basically, glass. Lasts forever, provided careless handling doesn’t damage it. The fancy hands have survived. That is unusual, as they are delicate.

Let us know what more you find out about your watch.

Canuck, thanks again for your help. I visited that site you mentioned "vintagewatchstraps...".
What an encyplopedia of watch knowledge ! ( I'm sure there's a word for the subject).
This is a vast site. I could not believe how many members there are. As is perfectly obvious, I'm not a collector, just a man with an old watch. I also have a nice inexpensive model Rolex watch my wife bought for me in the Philappines in the sixties. I only mention that to contrast it with this - because it's so accurate (for flying) and easy to read my day to day watch for years has been a Timex Expedition.
Tom

Name for decorative Hunter case treatment:

Spad35

Canuck

Spad35

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