Are there any links to the Hunter Case and how it got its name? If not, I would appreciate learning this information. Thanks!

I have just assumed hunting cases were marketed to those who rode to the hounds--fox hunters who often took nasty spills from horseback. The additional cover would offer some protection to the glass cystal. That's only a theory, I have no facts. I know that my Grandpa and Dad always wore their open face pocket watches with the dial side turned toward in to protect the fragile glass from any bumps.

Mortimer (or do you prefer Mort?);
To my knowledge (and it certainly is not exhaustive) there is not a general history of watch case evolution. However, in volume 355 (April 2005) of the Bulletin there is the article “Early Industrial Watchcases, Part II” by John Wilterding, Jr and Mike Harrold. It does not specifically deal with hunter cases, but the overall development of the watch case in this country. I believe that you will find it to be fascinating and informative. There is also a web site The Niello Watch Case - Artistry in Time by James H. Wolf (http://www.ashlandinvestment.com/niello/niello.html) which may be of further interest.

To hazard an opinion, the hunter case (also called a hunting case) was likely an evolution from the early pair case watches. The watch case served primarily to protect the watch mechanism, especially from dust and dirt, but in the early days of watch development they were very expensive and worn about the neck on a baldric where they could be seen as status symbols. The watch case became a “canvas” for decoration. As the mechanism evolved (becoming flatter) decoration also changed. Decoration shifted from the more fragile porcelain and painting to a display of metalwork and engraving. As John points out about his grandfather and father, the necessity to protect the watch face became more important. (Here the real guesswork starts). The name possibly arose from the need to indicate a watch case's ability to withstand the rigors of hunting. There is also has a parallel in the wristwatch world. LeCoutre’s Reverso was supposedly designed to protect the watch face from the rigors of polo. It sounds good, but I do not think that we will ever really know for certain.