DESCRIPTION:
APW - "American Calendar Watch Co, Pat. Feb. 13. 1866." marked dial, "W. Parker, New York" marked mvt, calendar watch, 15J, 18S, coin silver Am Watch Co HC recase, white enamel DS dial with aperture below 12 for calendar display via a rotating silvered disk under dial, KWKS, electrum gilt mvt, s#141. This early calendar watch is based on the design of Edward Oppenheimer that was granted U.S. patent number 52591. Though the plate layout of this movement bears overall similarity to Waltham's Model 1857 design; there are numerous notable differences between the present piece and Waltham's Model 1857 production including its substantially different gilt finish appearance which is of the Swiss style electrum color, differences to the exact shape and size of its barrel bridge and balance cock, the spacing between its case screw position and the adjacent plate screw position, the number and position of dial feet locations and the associated machining of its dial plate, the location of its hairspring stud, and the appearance of plate jeweling. For this reason we do not make any claim that the present watch has any degree of American-made material or finishing, and note that the reason we have listed this watch among the American portion of this sale is due to its signature and the historical interest of its U.S. patented calendar design. Based on the paucity of known examples, this "American Calendar Watch Co." watch appears to be quite rare and we are only aware of a small handful of others known, each of these having a serial number in relatively close proximity to the present example. For images and discussion of several other known examples we recommend the April 2009 NAWCC Bulletin article "Ten in Twenty Million?" by Joe "J.C." Cohen as well as another individual's 2015 NAWCC Message Board posting of photos of serial number 164 that include under-dial views.
CONDITION:
Mvt: NR, fully wound, balance is gummy but will swing for a few brief arcs with a twist, calendar advancing when hands are set forward, overhaul needed, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches and some mild surface spots, mild ultra-fine scratch striations likely from a past light wiping; dial is loose to mvt as one of its two dial feet is broken off and currently is remaining within mvt, dial with crudely patched chip at 2, scattered hls; fine hands; case is missing its push to release the front latch so front must be snapped open and closed, case shows ample wear, mild dent to lower left perimeter of rear, greatly reduced engraving detail; bow pivots freely, push is missing; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$500
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$1000
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