DESCRIPTION:
APW - J. Karr, Washington, D.C., “American Chronometer” marked on mvt and dial, fusee with winding indicator, possibly 21J, 54mm, silver original HC with incuse “J.K.” marking for Jacob Karr, white enamel DS dial, KWKS, fully capped patent detent escapement, jeweled fusee, free sprung balance, diamond endstone, gilt mvt marked “Patented Sep. 1. 1864,” s#1012 with matching serial number within case. A very rare piece, only a small number of Jacob Karr’s “American Chronometer” watches are known. Karr was granted U.S. patent number 44317 for his chronometer escapement which he claimed “requires less power to obtain a necessary motion to lock and unlock the escapement wheel of a chronometer, has less friction to overcome, is more compact, more durable, can be made for less money, and is less liable to get out of repair in accomplishing the object of making time accurately than any chronometer-escapement known to me.” This patent was granted on September 20th, 1864 but with an additional note of “antedated September 1st, 1864.” CONDITION: Mvt: GRO apart from some intermittent bits of excess escapement noise...
CONDITION:
Mvt: GRO apart from some intermittent bits of excess escapement noise, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, main plate with ultra-fine scratch striations likely from wiping, some mild small surface spots; dial with faint hl above seconds-register, abrasion below indicator-register, small hl along edge at 9; near mint hands; case shows light to medium wear, small ding on band near 11, reduced engine turning detail with areas of loss at shoulders and front center; tight bow; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$5000
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$10000
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