EXTREMELY RARE Antique Elgin “Memento Mori” Pocket Watch | Half Hunter 47mm |

This is a spectacular opportunity to acquire a highly sought-after, museum-quality piece of horological art. Antique pocket watches featuring genuine “Memento Mori” (Remember You Must Die) and “Danse Macabre” (Dance of Death) polychrome enamel dials are exceedingly rare and highly prized by collectors of macabre oddities, Masonic artifacts, and fine antique timepieces. Housed in a handsome 47mm gold-plated half-hunter (demi-hunter) case, this century-old timepiece remains in perfect working order.

Historical Context: The “Memento Mori” Tradition

The dial of this watch features a striking and beautifully enameled scene depicting the Danse Macabre—a skeletal figure of Death, draped in a white shroud, grasping the arm of a wealthy merchant or nobleman. This powerful imagery has roots in medieval Europe, serving as a philosophical reminder of the inevitability of death and the transient nature of earthly wealth and pursuits. During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Memento Mori motifs experienced a massive resurgence in jewelry and horology. A pocket watch was the perfect canvas for this philosophy; as the owner checked the time, they were continuously reminded that their time on earth was finite.

Item Specifications

Detailed Condition Report

• Dial: The polychrome enamel dial is the star of this piece and is in remarkable antique condition. The artwork remains vibrant, crisp, and beautifully detailed. It features a clean white chapter ring with sharp blue Roman numerals and a sunken sub-seconds dial at the 6 o’clock position.

• Case: The Keystone gold-plated half-hunter case is in excellent structural condition. The front cover features its central observation window surrounded by an outer chapter ring of deep blue enamel Roman numerals, allowing the user to read the time without fully opening the watch. The case shows normal, honest surface wear and fine micro-scratches consistent with a 100+ year-old antique, adding to its authentic patina. The hinges are tight, and the covers snap shut securely.

• Movement: The original Elgin 15-jewel movement is beautifully preserved, featuring elegant damaskeening (decorative patterning) on the plates. It is stamped with “ELGIN NATL WATCH CO. U.S.A.” and the serial number 17518629.

• Mechanics: Perfect working condition. The watch winds smoothly, sets correctly, and keeps time. (Note to buyers: As with all antique mechanical watches, routine service by a professional watchmaker is recommended for daily use and optimal long-term accuracy).

The watch comes with an APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE FOR $2500