DESCRIPTION:
APW - Seth Thomas, "Railway" 25J, likely a prototype or model piece, 18S, GF OF case, SW-LS, WE-DS Montgomery dial with Canadian market 13-24 hour indications, fully capped lever escapement, cap jeweled upper pivots on third and fourth wheels, jeweled barrel arbor, 25J, two-tone gilt and NI ornate damascene in predominantly gilt color, no serial on main plate but a marking of "8.1.99" which presumably signifies the date of August 1st, 1899. A very intriguing watch that we believe likely represents a prototype for the regular production 25 jewel Maiden Lane, this watch is actually the same piece that is pictured in the yearly price guide and described as being a "28 jewel." Upon disassembly we have confirmed that the watch at present has a jewel count of 25, but the possibility for it having once been higher jeweled does exist as the dial plate has a bushing peened in place beneath the barrel that may have replaced a jewel which would yield an original total of 26 jewel. Beyond this the only possibility of an original 28 jewel count would be if the watch also once had an internally jeweled barrel that has since been replaced, but the present unjeweled barrel with no serial number does not offer any evidence for this conclusion. The only serial number found internally on the piece is the digits "08989" on the pillar plate. Additional unusual and idiosyncratic features of this movement include the dramatically different regulator design, the atypical hairspring stud mounted to main plate, the presence of small holes machined on the main plate where a regular index would typically mount but with the absence of any trace of the watch having ever actually had an index mounted in this position. In all a fascinating and likely unique piece that would be a terrific centerpiece for an advanced Seth Thomas collection. Our sincere thanks to the foremost Seth Thomas expert, Eric Unselt of American Timekeeper, who spent some time fully disassembling and researching this watch and discovering the information mentioned above. We owe much of the information and most of the photographs on this lot to Eric! Check out his extensive Seth Thomas research website at: https://www.seththomasresearch.com/home.html This watch is already featured with photo on this page, under "The Model 5 Research Grades - Railway": https://www.seththomasresearch.com/model-5.html.
CONDITION:
Mvt: GRO apart from a slight error in round of balance motion, excellent mvt condition overall, attractive but mildly reduced two-tone color, few mild MFS and mild surface spots; dial with two faint hls in center chapter; excellent hands; case shows very little wear, typical MFS, no dents or dings, a few mild pinpoint nicks to bottom of bend, excellent ET and engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows little wear; good bull's-eye glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$7000
PRICE SOLD:
$3200
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