A full hunter pocket watch has a solid hinged cover that closes completely over the dial, so you open it to read the time. A half hunter has a small glass window in that cover, so you can read the hands with the case closed. An open face pocket watch has no cover at all. Choose a full hunter for protection and engraving, a half hunter for quick reading with a vintage look, and an open face for everyday use.
This guide compares the three case styles side by side, then the two rarer variants, the double hunter and the half double hunter. You will find a comparison table, a simple way to decide, and a few models from our full hunter, half hunter and open face collections. For a wider overview of movements and materials, see our guide to the different types of pocket watch; here we focus only on the case.
Key takeaways
- A full hunter has a solid front cover: best protection for the crystal and the largest surface to engrave.
- A half hunter (or demi-hunter) has a window in the cover, often with a ring of numerals around it, so you can read the time without opening it.
- An open face watch has no front cover: the fastest to read and usually the slimmest.
- A double hunter adds a second cover on the back that opens onto the movement.
- Pick by use: a gift or a formal outfit, a full hunter; a watch you check often with a vest, a half hunter; daily wear or a skeleton dial, an open face.
What is a full hunter pocket watch?
A full hunter, often simply called a hunter, is a pocket watch whose front cover is a solid metal lid hinged to the case. When it is closed, the dial and crystal are fully hidden. To read the time, you press the crown or a small pusher and the lid springs open.
The name is usually linked to riders who went hunting in the 19th century: a closed lid protected the glass if the watch was knocked or dropped. Treat that story as tradition rather than proven history, but the practical point is real. A full hunter is the toughest of the three styles for the dial, and its smooth front cover is the classic canvas for initials, a crest or a date. That is why it remains the first choice for gifts, such as pocket watches for groomsmen.
The main drawback is speed. Every time you want the time, you need two hands or a press of the crown, and the cover must be closed again. Some owners love that small ritual. Others find it slow.
Full hunter pocket watches to consider
Black Vintage Quartz Full Hunter Pocket Watch - Flat Black
Plain black stainless steel full hunter with a solid case.
View product →
Vintage Automatic Full Hunter Pocket Watch - Major London
Metallic grey full hunter with an automatic movement.
View product →
Mechanical Full Hunter Pocket Watch - Wooded Nature
A deer on a snowy mountain decorates the cover.
View product →
What is a half hunter pocket watch?
A half hunter keeps the hinged front lid but cuts a small round window in its center, covered with glass. Around that window, the lid is often marked with a ring of hour numerals or markers. With the case closed, you can see the hands through the window and read the time against that ring.
It was designed as a middle ground: the dial is still protected by the cover, but you no longer have to open it for a quick look. In British usage you will also see the name demi-hunter. A half hunter suits people who check the time often but still want the closed, vintage silhouette of a hunter case.
Two things to keep in mind. The small window shows only the hands, so seconds or small subdials are hard to read with the lid closed. And there is less flat surface to engrave on the front; most engraving goes on the back.
Black Automatic Vintage Half Hunter Pocket Watch - Black belt
Smooth black cover with a window in its center.
View product →
Men's Mechanical Half Hunter Pocket Watch - Golden Stars
Vintage-style mechanical half hunter for men.
View product →
What is an open face pocket watch?
An open face pocket watch has no front cover. The crystal sits directly over the dial, exactly like a wristwatch. It is the quickest to read, usually thinner, and the most practical for daily use.
Open face models also show off what the dial has to offer. A skeleton pocket watch, such as the Skeleton open face model, with its movement visible through the dial, is almost always an open face for that reason. The trade-off is that the crystal is exposed, so it can scratch if it shares a pocket with keys or coins.
Vintage Mechanical Open Face Pocket Watch - Classic Jones
A simple, uncluttered open face design.
View product →
Black Mechanical Open Face Pocket Watch - Skeleton
Open face skeleton design that shows the movement.
View product →
Half hunter vs full hunter vs open face: comparison table
Here is how the three main case styles compare on the points that matter when you choose.
| Feature | Full hunter | Half hunter | Open face |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front cover | Solid hinged lid | Hinged lid with a glass window | None |
| Reading the time | Open the cover | Through the window, cover closed | Directly |
| Dial protection | Highest | High | Lowest |
| Front engraving space | Largest | Limited, around the window | None (back only) |
| Thickness | Thicker | Thicker | Usually slimmer |
| Look | Formal, classic | Vintage, distinctive | Clean, modern or skeleton |
| Best for | Gifts, engraving, formal wear | Frequent checks with a vest | Everyday use, showing the dial |
In short, the difference between a hunter and an open face pocket watch is the front cover, and the difference between a full hunter and a half hunter is the window in that cover.
Double hunter and half double hunter: the rarer variants
Two other names often confuse buyers. A double hunter pocket watch has a solid front cover like a full hunter and a second hinged cover on the back. Open the back and you see the movement, often through an inner glass. It is the choice for people who enjoy watching a mechanical movement at work.
A half double hunter combines both ideas: a front cover with a window, and a back cover that opens onto the movement. These variants are less common, which makes them a good choice for a collector or a standout gift.
Double and half double hunter models
Vintage Mechanical Double Hunter Pocket Watch - Silver Butterfly
Finely polished silver double hunter.
View product →
Gold Mechanical Vintage Pocket Watch - Golden Wings
Gold-plated double flap with a skeleton dial.
View product →
Which pocket watch case should you choose?
Start from how you will wear and use the watch, not only from the look. These questions usually settle it:
| Your situation | Best case style | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want to engrave a name or a date on the front | Full hunter | Largest smooth surface |
| It is a gift for a wedding, a retirement or a graduation | Full hunter | Opening the cover makes a moment of it |
| You check the time many times a day | Open face or half hunter | No cover to open, or a window |
| You wear a vest and want a vintage look | Half hunter | Classic shape, quick reading |
| You carry the watch in a busy pocket | Full hunter | The crystal stays covered |
| You love seeing the movement | Open face skeleton or double hunter | The mechanism is the show |
The movement is a separate choice. Every case style exists with quartz, mechanical or automatic movements, so pick the case first, then the movement. If you go mechanical, read our guide on how to wind a pocket watch. Our mechanical pocket watches and quartz pocket watches collections cover all three cases.
Good habit
- Open and close a hunter cover with the crown pressed down, never by forcing the lid with a fingernail: it protects the hinge and the spring.
- Keep any open face watch in a pocket of its own, away from keys and coins.
- For engraving, choose a full hunter with a plain, polished cover rather than one already decorated.
To avoid
- Snapping a hunter cover shut by pressing on the middle of the lid: close it with the crown held in.
- Choosing a half hunter if you need to read the seconds at a glance: the window rarely shows them.
- Assuming every "hunter" listing means the same thing: check whether it is a full, half or double hunter.
How do you wear each case style?
All three styles are worn the same way: in a vest pocket with an Albert chain, in a trouser watch pocket with a short chain, or on a belt loop. A hunter, being heavier and more formal, sits naturally with a three-piece suit. An open face works equally well with a casual jacket. Our guides on how to wear a pocket watch and choosing a pocket watch chain explain the details, and you will find chains in our pocket watch accessories.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a full hunter and a half hunter pocket watch?
A full hunter has a solid front cover that you open to see the dial. A half hunter has the same cover with a small glass window in the middle, so you can read the hands while it stays closed.
What is the difference between a hunter and an open face pocket watch?
A hunter case has a hinged front cover that protects the dial. An open face pocket watch has no cover; the crystal is exposed and you read the time directly.
Why is it called a hunter pocket watch?
The name is traditionally linked to riders who went hunting: a closed metal lid protected the crystal from knocks and falls. It is a widely repeated story rather than a documented origin.
What is a double hunter pocket watch?
A double hunter has two hinged covers: one on the front over the dial and one on the back over the movement, so you can open the back to see the mechanism.
Is a half hunter the same as a demi-hunter?
Yes. Demi-hunter is simply another name, more common in Britain, for a half hunter case with a window in the front cover.
Which pocket watch is best for engraving?
A full hunter, because its smooth front cover and back give you two surfaces. A plain, polished cover gives the cleanest result.
In short
Full hunter for protection, engraving and gifts. Half hunter for a vintage hunter look you can read in a second. Open face for everyday use and dials you want to see. Once the case is decided, pick the movement and the chain. Browse our full hunter pocket watches to start.
