DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, "Harry P. Holmes, R.R. Special, Des Moines, IA" marked mvt, Grade 941, 21J, 18S, gold-filled original HC with extraordinary engraving detail, rear with an 1880s racing yacht, front with a young woman gazing out to sea, "Harry P. Holmes, Des Moines, IA, Special" marked white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, nickel damascene, s#237620. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California. Our last photo is not included with the lot but depicts a Gafftop 2 masted schooner an America's Cup racing yacht from the 1880s, much like the one engraved on this watch. Of course, some artistic licenses were taken with the watch engraving because it was hand engraved into metal. We thank Robert Miller for the yacht information and photo!
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, scratch at edge of main plate near "Adjusted" marking, fine scratch to main plate from case screw to area outside regulator index, fine scratch to upper portion of barrel bridge; dial with faint hl above seconds-register, extremely faint hl to upper left of center section, some fading of 8 numeral, scratch between 8 and 9, some perimeter rub under bezel between 9 and 1; fine hands with some bits of finish loss; case shows hardly any wear, small nick to lower right of ship image, no dents, superb engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows very little wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$600
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$1000
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