English 18K gold half hunting cased lever watch Circa 1910

Gold half hunter pocket watch
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An exceptional English 18 carat yellow gold soap shaped half hunting cased pocket watch, made by Herbert Blockley in London, circa 1910. The watch features a lever movement, signed Herbert Blockley Successor to Lund Blockley, 41 Duke Street, St James’s S.W., and numbered. Its round case has a monogrammed back engraved with LC 1910 and a partially glazed face with a blue enamel minute track and Roman numerals. The yellow gold cuvette pairs with the white dial, which has black painted Roman numerals, double pear shaped hands, and a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. Hallmarks include the English master stamp JR in a square, a crown for 18K gold, an anchor for Birmingham, 18 for gold purity, and the letter I in a single pointed coat of arms for 1908.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 99.5 g
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Signed: Herbert Blockley, London
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This distinguished timepiece, with its historical engravings and fine English craftsmanship, is a remarkable example of early 20th century horology.
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Herbert Blockley was a top student at the British Horological Institute and partnered with Major J.A. Lund to establish Lund & Blockley at 42 Pall Mall, London. George J.A. Lund later opened another firm, also named Lund & Blockley, on Rampart Row in Bombay, India. George Lund was the brother of John Richard Lund, a business partner in Barraud & Lund. In 1882, the firm supplied a clock with a carillon to Bombay University. The Bombay firm also acted as an agent for Rolex.
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According to Herbert Blockley, the company succeeded Charles Edward Viner. Blockley continued to run the London firm alone as Herbert Blockley, successor to Lund & Blockley and later moved to 41 Duke Street, St. James’s. His speciality was expedition observation watches with screw-down, dustproof, and waterproof cases. Many of these were purchased by the Royal Geographical Society and loaned to expedition leaders. Blockley also used movements from Usher & Cole. Herbert Blockley remained active until 1920.
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Lund & Blockley remains active as an optics company in Mumbai (Bombay) today.