Swiss half hunter for the North American market Circa 1885

Gold pocket watch by Vacheron & Constantin
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A Swiss half hunting cased pocket watch for the North American market, circa 1885.
18 Carat rose gold case with inlaid enamel Roman numerals, engraved monogram, reeded border, case maker’s punch mark B.K.&Co., glazed movement, and a gold dome with engraving: Dec. 25, 1885. Enamel dial with radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds, blued double spade hands and signed Bigelow Kennard & Co., Boston. Signed, rhodium-plated bridge movement with Geneva Striping, adjusted, wolf teeth winding wheels, screw compensation balance, and counterpoised Moustache lever.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 104 g
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Signed: Vacheron & Constantin à Genève
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Bigelow & Kennard
Bigelow & Kennard was a Boston jeweller. Imported lots of fine French & English clocks and — as did many prestigious jewellers — put their own name on them. The company started as the Bigelow Brothers & Kennard in the 1840’s. By 1904 the company was trading as Bigelow Kennard & Co., it seems to have been run by Mr A.O. Bigelow, who was also a member of the E Howard & Co. board of directors at that time. A.O Bigelow had been involved in watchmaking/retailing since at least 1864 when he set up the Tremont Watch Co. with A.L. Dennison. The company went out of business in 1922.