THIS IS A PARTIAL CATALOG as of 09/22/2020, subject to revision before the final catalog is released.
The full catalog will be published in early October.
Click on a category in the Category List below to see what we have completed so far. (Newly added items are clearly marked.)
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, one-minute repeater with split-seconds chronograph and 60-minute register, at least 17J, 16S, massive 18K gold original HC with gold cuvette as well as glazed observation cover over mvt, white enamel DS canister style (snap-on) dial, SW-LS, non-magnetic alloy balance and hairspring, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#3793205. Gross weight of assembled watch 115.2 dwt (179.2 g). An important and exceedingly rare watch, we are aware of the existence of only two examples of the Waltham one-minute repeater with split-seconds chronograph. The single other example we have encountered was sold by Sothebys in 2004 and is serial number 3793206 (consecutive to the presently offered watch) which was formerly a part of the Rockford Time Museum collection and is noted in Donald Hoke's "The Time Museum Historical Catalogue of American Watches." as having a case that is "reconstructed" with "new covers, bow, crown, & stem." In contrast, the presently offered example, serial number 3793205, is notable for its superb condition throughout including its very heavy original gold hunting case made by prestigious New York casemaker Jeannot & Shiebler. In all an exquisitely beautiful piece that ranks among the most exceptional American watches in existence, this watch has been owned by our consignor since the mid-1970s and we are honored to offer it here to the collecting community in its first marketplace appearance in over 40 years.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good repeat function and superb tone, during our rigorous testing we operated the repeat function numerous times and only a small handful of times we observed a striking of one minute apart from correct time, otherwise strikes were precise and complete, good chronograph and split-seconds function, good register function, virtually mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, superb lustrous surfaces with few small micro-fine scratches, very small fine scratch near main plate’s edge above serial number; virtually flawless dial with only a few micro-fine glaze scratches of negligible effect to appearance; mint hands, timekeeping and sweep hands are plum colored, 60-minute register hand is blue; case shows hardly any wear, a mild very shallow dent toward left perimeter of rear visible as a slight ripple in reflected light at this position; tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystals.
ESTIMATE:
$40000
-
$60000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Grade 947 "Extra," 23J, 18S, 14K multicolor gold box hinge original HC with yellow gold buck to rear surrounded by multicolor floral detail, front with rose gold shield surrounded by multicolor floral detail, fancy white enamel SS dial with gold foil numerals against light blue backgrounds, light blue color and gold foil decoration at center, gold foil minute markers, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, ornate nickel damascene, s#239373. Gross weight of assembled watch 97.9 dwt (152.3 g). A beautiful example of this extremely rare watch, the total production of the Grade 947 is 310 made but only a very small fraction of these were marked "Extra." This particular serial number is listed in the Hamilton factory ledger as being a Grade 947 that was sold to A.N. Anderson of Minneapolis, MN on April 8th, 1914. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces with some typical fine and micro-fine scratches, small bit of abrasion to inner edge of barrel bridge adjacent regulator adjustment screw, some oxide to regulator spring; virtually flawless dial with few micro-fine scratches; nearly mint hands; case shows hardly any wear, dings to upper portion of front, few mild dings to perimeter of cuvette, dents to band at 5 and 7, superb engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows little wear; clean plastic crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$8000
-
$15000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Grade 951 (marked), 23J, 16S, gold-filled Philadelphia Watch Case Co. HC, fancy white enamel SS dial with two shades of gold foil decoration, fancy gilt Louis XV style hands, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, striped pattern nickel damascene, s#81936. An extremely rare top grade watch, the pendant-set Grade 951 has a total production of only 44 made which places it among the absolute rarest grades of 16 size Hamilton production (tied in rarity with the 17 jewel Hayden W. Wheeler lever-set which also had 44 total made, and exceeded in rarity only by the "thin bridge" version of the Hayden W. Wheeler which had only a handful of examples made). This example has an interesting history in the Hamilton factory ledger, shown as having been finished on February 24th, 1908 but as having not been sold until a decade later with a sale to Dennison Watch Case Co. of Birmingham, England on June 10th, 1918. Presumably the watch would have therefore originally been with an English made Dennison case and was likely later transferred to the present case at some point during its lifetime. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some marring tight around rim of aperture for stem detent screw, some typical mild fine to micro-fine scratches elsewhere, some mild bits of oxide to winding wheels and regulator assembly; excellent-plus dial with fine scratch at 11:30, some perimeter scrape in areas under bezel; excellent hands; case shows very little wear, ding to upper left perimeter of front, some small dings to rear that are more evident to inner surface of lid, group of dings to band at 12:30, small nicks scattered elsewhere to band, excellent engine turning detail, cuvette with a bit of play at its hinge and moves loosely through its opening range; tight bow, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$8000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Illinois, Bunn Special, Grade 163, extremely rare Type II marking, 23J 60 Hour, 16S, two-tone white and green gold-filled OF original Bunn Special Model 28 case, "Illinois Bunn Special 23 Jewel 60 Hour" marked white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, rayed pattern nickel damascene, s#5448151. A superb example of this extremely rare watch, the total production of the Grade 163 Type II is believed to be only approximately 50 made which makes it by far the rarest piece among the Bunn Special 23 jewel 60 Hour series.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, some fine scratches at perimeter of balance cock; virtually flawless dial with only two minor as-made finish imperfections, the first a small bubble at the 33-minute hash, the other a minuscule divot to the inner rim of the outer chapter at 11:30; excellent hands; case shows hardly any wear, some small nicks to band, no dents or dings, excellent engraving detail, serial numbers of all case components correctly match; tight bow, crown shows little wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$8000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, American Watch Co, 19J, Model 1862, 20S, heavy 18K gold OF original A.W.Co. case, gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial with script "American Watch Co." signature, KWKS, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, gold train, gold center jewel setting, polished steel and gold barrel arbor escutcheon, "Fogg's safety Pinion Patented" marked mvt, s#80134. Gross weight of assembled watch 87.9 dwt (136.7 g); gross weight of 18K gold case only with mvt and crystal removed 47.2 dwt (73.4 g). An excellent example of this rare top quality 20 size grade, the total production of the American Watch Co. grade Model 1862 is believed to be 369 made.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running and was serviced September 2020, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, excellent gilt tone, some mild micro-fine scratches, some scattered small light surface spots, disassembly during servicing revealed barrel stopworks components all fully intact and functional; nearly flawless dial with exceedingly faint perimeter hl near 8; excellent hands, minute with some finish loss and oxide; case shows ample wear, no dents or dings, engine turning detail largely lost with only a smaller portion (mostly around lower central area) remaining lightly evident; tight bow thinned a bit at top; good thick glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$5000
-
$8000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, American Watch Co, Model 1872, 21J, 16S, 18K gold original AWCo HC, gold cuvette engraved "Henry S. Pray from Mother, June 10th, 1880," white glass enamel SS dial with distinctive Old English AWCo signature characteristic to this grade, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, decorative gold disk around balance jewel setting, quilted pattern nickel damascene, s#1448946. Gross weight of assembled watch 83.5 dwt (129.9 g). An excellent example throughout of this top quality grade.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, short fine scratch at perimeter of main plate adjacent larger winding wheel, few typical small micro-fine scratches elsewhere, larger winding wheel with two fine scratches at perimeter, larger winding wheel with a small patch of oxide and both winding wheels with some scattered small specks of oxide; flawless dial; nearly mint hands; case shows very light wear, ding to right perimeter of front, ding to band at 8, subtle shallow dent at lower left perimeter of rear, engine turning detail reduced at shoulders with portion of loss at right side of rear; tight bow, crown shows medium wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4600
-
$6600
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Grade 946 with extremely rare damascene variant, 23J, 18S, very heavy 14K gold OF recase with beautiful train scene engraved to rear, white enamel DS dial, time-zone hour hands, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, rayed pattern nickel damascene, s#550761. Gross weight of assembled watch 95.8 dwt (149.1 g). This rayed damascene pattern is extremely rare among Grade 946 production. This example is the first from a group of 10 consecutive movements (serial numbers 550761 to 550770) that are listed in the Hamilton factory ledger as having been sold to Burr W. Freer of San Francisco, California between August and December of 1910. We have encountered two other examples of this damascene among Grade 946 movements and both have been within this block of 10 serial numbers, and we suspect this single group of 10 made may very well be the total production of this variant. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, few mild micro-fine scratches; flawless dial; excellent hands; case shows hardly any wear, no dents, few small nicks above train on rear, superb engraving detail with no reduction; tight bow, crown shows little wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$6000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Adams & Perry, mvt signed "Lancaster Watch, Penna," 20J, 19S, very heavy 18K gold box hinge drum style original BWCCo HC, bow with chain guards, gold cuvette with 1897 presentation, white enamel SS canister style (snap on) dial, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement, nickel damascene, s#2089. Gross weight of assembled watch 105.6 dwt (164.2 g); gross weight of case only with movement and with crown/stem assembly removed 57.9 dwt (90.1 g). An impressive example of this rare high grade early watch. Based on observed examples it appears the total production of the Adams & Perry model movement was likely under 1000 made, and of this total the much greater majority were gilt finish movements and it appears likely only somewhat over 100 were made with nickel damascene finish. This example is notable also for the presence of its massive original box hinge gold case, as the majority of extant examples are either recased or without case. From the collection of Robert L. Ravel, M.D.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, some skippages with clicking noise when winding which occur more often as mainspring approaches full tension, overhaul recommended for winding issue, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches, steelwork with some small bits of oxide; dial with few scattered hls, small flake to upper right rim of center hole; excellent hands; case shows light wear, many scattered scratches, fine scratches and scuffs to front and rear, front with one mild shallow dent causing light rippling of reflection a bit above/right of center, rear with some perimeter denting at lower left causing rear to close with a bit of gap to band at upper left, center rear with some mild shallow dents causing rippling of reflection; tight bow, crown in poor condition showing ample wear, evident past crudely executed soldered repairs and with large splits to its jacket; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4400
-
$6000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Improved Sporting Watch (Chronodrometer), Appleton Tracy & Co mvt with stop/start function displayed on dial with sweep-seconds outer chapter of 4-minute interval, upper register for 12-hour timekeeping, and lower register for 4-second timing via 1/4-second jump, Model 1857, 15J, 18S, silver OF original A.T. & Co. (Appleton Tracy & Co.) case with American Indian engraving to rear, stop/start function controlled by button at lower right of case band, slide at bottom of band to allow or prevent stop/start function, "Improved Sporting Watch. Jas Appleton Jr. Waltham. Mass." signed white enamel dial, KWKS from rear, diamond endstone, gilt mvt, s#13796. An excellent original example of Waltham's first "complicated" watch; this is also one of the most distinctive and visually striking examples of this watch type we've seen due to its unusual American Indian bust engraving in large size to its case rear. This example also notably features a slide to the lower portion of its case band which allows the user to prevent its stop/start function; although this slide feature is very useful to this watch type (which has the impractical characteristic that the watch stops running when the stop/start button is pressed, necessitating resetting of its timekeeping after use of the timer function), a case slide was for some reason not typically incorporated among their production. These watches were recorded as "Sporting Watch" in Waltham factory records and in total 400 were produced with this production being at serial number ranges 13701 to 13900, 14501 to 14600, and 14701 to 14800. Dials of the earlier production examples were marked "Improved Sporting Watch" as on the present watch, while dials of later production examples were signed instead with the "Chronodrometer" name; and of these two signatures types the "Improved Sporting Watch" is scarcer. The present example is from the initial production run of 100 which was made in October of 1858, while the remainder of Sporting Watch production is listed with finish dates between 1859 and 1865. This small total production spread over a period of seven years indicates that these watches found limited commercial success, presumably in large part as from 1861 to 1865 the United States was busy fighting a Civil War which no doubt limited its citizens' opportunities and enthusiasm for horse or dog racing!
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running and was serviced September, 2020, good stop/start function, right side of barrel bridge with previous owner's "J.W. Ford, Cohoes NY" very lightly scribed into surface, otherwise nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall with excellent gilt tone, few micro-fine scratches, some small bits of oxide to setting arbor and hairspring stud; excellent dial with some scattered extremely faint hls; excellent hands, sweep-seconds-hand is blue, other hands are plum colored; case shows light wear, an attractive moderate exterior patina, mild small ding and few small nicks at upper left perimeter of rear, mild small ding at right side of band, few small nicks elsewhere to band and to bezel, cuvette with previous owner's "J.W. Ford, Cohoes NY" lightly scribed into surface left of setting aperture, some fine to micro-fine scratches around winding and setting apertures; tight bow; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$6000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Illinois, Bunn Special, 23J, very rare HC variant, 16S, 14K gold original HC with beautiful engine turning and engraving detail including a bird with outstretched wings to front and rear, front shield with initials, white enamel DS Gothic numeral dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel, rayed pattern nickel damascene, s#2577639. Gross weight of assembled watch 57.5 dwt (89.4 g). An exceptional example of this very rare hunting case Bunn Special variant, the total production of this 23 jewel Model 8 Bunn Special with rayed damascene and gold colored lettering is believed to be only 50 made with all production within a single run spanning serial numbers 2577601 to 2577650 per Michael Chamelin's book.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, virtually mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, very few minimal small micro-fine scratches; virtually flawless dial with few negligible small micro-fine scratches, minuscule pinpoint as-made dark spots inside the 34 minute marker and outside the 52 minute marker, reverse of dial has been inspected and does have correct unaltered dial feet for this Model 8 movement; excellent hands, minute with some oxide and finish loss at tip; case shows hardly any wear, two minuscule nicks to upper left perimeter of rear, two small nicks at center of cuvette, thin gauge cuvette is slightly out of shape with an out of level appearance evident when opened, superb engine turning and engraving detail, front closes securely though its inner lip shows some wear evident at the latch area; tight bow, crown shows light wear with thin lines of ridge break; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$5000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Seth Thomas, Grade 508, 16-17J, Model 2, 18S, massive 18K gold Dueber HC recase with unusual lion and lioness scene to front, snake and bird scene to rear, both front and rear scenes with beautiful tropical floral detail, gold cuvette, white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, mvt marked "Adjusted to Temperature & Position," nickel damascene, s#87929. Gross weight of assembled watch 104.3 dwt (162.2 g); gross weight of case only with movement, crown/stem and crystal removed 59.0 dwt (91.8 g). An exceptional case, both for its substantial weight and also for its beautiful and very unusual engraving detail.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, toning of plate surfaces, mild oxide to steelwork, fine scratch adjacent balance jewel setting; dial with chipping and flakes around center, hl above seconds-register, outer chapter hl at 3, beveling wear of perimeter under bezel; fair hands, hour and minute with finish loss, minute with some discoloration near center from heating; case shows little wear, no dents, few ripples evident to internal surface of front and rear at perimeter but with virtually no visibility externally, good engraving detail; case with past repair of front hinge having some external visibility and greater internal visibility; tight bow thinned a bit at top, crown shows medium wear with ridge break; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3800
-
$5000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Samuel Curtis, serial #536, 15J, 17S, coin silver OF original case with eagle hallmark and anchor hallmark, white enamel dial, KWKS, gilt mvt, s#536 with very nearly matched case s#535. An excellent original example of this historically important early watch by Waltham's predecessor the Boston Watch Company, the total production of the Samuel Curtis was somewhere between 800 and 900 made. The combination of eagle and anchor hallmarks is characteristic to early Boston Watch Co. factory cases made in-house by casemaker Cabel Westcott as discussed in Wesley R. Hauptman's excellent "The Boston Watch Company" article in the October 1963 edition of the NAWCC Bulletin.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running after a small twist to start, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, good gilt tone, some light fingerprint etching at portions of main plate perimeter, few micro-fine scratches and mild small haze spots; dial with hl from center to bottom, light hl from edge at 12 extending down to left of center group of small perimeter hls between 1:30 and 3, small edge chipping under bezel between 8 and 9; excellent hands, hour and minute with some mild vertical bends; case shows light wear, an attractive patina, few nicks to rear perimeter with one being an impression caused by bow, cuvette with denting, cuvette with some play at its hinge and opening/closing loosely; bow pivots freely and is thinned at top; glass crystal with small internal edge chip at 8.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$5000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - E. Howard & Co, Boston, Series VII, split-plate model, 17J, N-S (just over 19S), very heavy 14K gold original Keystone HC with five-knuckle hinges, initials to front, gold cuvette, glazed observation cover over mvt, white enamel DS dial, umbrella style hands, SW-SS, radiating fishscale pattern nickel damascene, s#228893. Gross weight of assembled watch 102.0 dwt (158.7 g); gross weight of case only with movement and with crown/stem assembly removed 59.9 dwt (93.2 g). A very impressive original example in a notably heavy 14K gold hunting case.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, virtually mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, very few negligible small micro-fine scratches; virtually flawless dial with only some mild edge rub under bezel in a few areas; nearly mint hands; case shows hardly any wear, small soft ding to rear a bit below-right of center, excellent engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows very little wear; good glass crystals.
ESTIMATE:
$3600
-
$4800
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Cronometro Victoria, 15J, Model 1899, 16S, 18K multicolor gold original Fogel case with equestrian rear having a rose gold horseshoe with seven inset diamonds surrounding a yellow gold horse bust with ruby inset eye, front with rose gold horseshoe surrounding multicolor floral detail and rose gold central shield with initials, gold cuvette, fancy white enamel SS impressed dial with gold foil decorations, SW-SS, gilt mvt screws and regulator arm, nickel damascene, s#11133200. Gross weight of assembled watch 68.2 dwt (106.1 g). An exquisitely beautiful watch, 18K multicolor gold is quite rare among American case production, and this spectacular piece was handled previously by our gallery in 2012. The Fogel case marking is for R.R. Fogel & Co. of New York who exported Waltham watches with movement signatures of "Cronometro Supremo," "Cronometro Victoria," and "Sol" to the South American market.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, few small micro-fine scratches, few small specks of oxide to larger winding wheel; flawless dial; excellent hands; case shows no wear, no dents or dings, cuvette with six intentional divots to allow space for outer lid's diamond culets, exquisite crisp engraving detail, case front closing with some thin bits of gap to band at a few positions, inner lip of case front with small bit of wear at latch area and latch is rubbing somewhat upon release of case front, rear hinge missing one end-cap and with very small bit of metal loss adjacent to end-cap position; tight bow, crown shows virtually no wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3400
-
$4800
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Illinois, Sangamo Special, unmarked 60 Hour, 23J, 17S, rare 14K green gold OF original Sangamo Special rigid bow case with threaded front and rear, 17 size Montgomery metal dial with 13 to 24 hour indications in red, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, broad transverse band pattern nickel damascene, s#4642187. Gross weight of assembled watch 64.8 dwt (100.8 g). The 14K solid gold Sangamo Special Model cases are rare and were made in several variations of color and style. The 24 hour dial of this example is also notable, and we have observed a handful of other similar examples that came from sources in Mexico or South America that had this particular dial in combination with 14K gold rigid bow cases leading us to believe this style was produced in small number for wealthy customers in the Mexican or South American market.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, tiny abrasion to center bridge near crown wheel, some micro-fine scratches to hub of larger winding wheel, few typical small micro-fine scratches elsewhere, some marring of balance jewel setting; excellent dial with some darkening of perimeter areas, few small dark spots to central portion; excellent hands; case shows little wear, mild dent to band at 7:30, good engraving detail; rigid bow with good engraving detail, crown shows light wear; clean plastic crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$4400
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Grade 993, 21J, 16S, very heavy 14K multicolor gold drum style K&U (Keller & Untermeyer) HC recase with spectacular oceanside scene to rear that includes a lighthouse with inset diamond in the foreground, two ships at sea, and a majestic sunset in the distance, front and rear perimeters with multicolor foliate border, bow with chain guards, gold cuvette, glazed observation cover over mvt, white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, striped pattern nickel damascene, s#1351504. Gross weight of assembled watch 83.6 dwt (130.1 g). From the collection of Robert L. Ravel, M.D.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous plates, some mild oxide to steelwork; dial with short hl at perimeter near 4; excellent hands, finish loss to tip of seconds-hand; case shows little wear, cuvette with fine scratches from past slipped openings, front with few dings toward perimeter and few mild shallow dents, small dent to band at 8, excellent engraving detail, bezel is filed for a second lever-set position; front glass crystal with small edge flake at bottom and with some glue excess around its seat, good rear glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$4200
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Serial #16, Grade 936, 17J, 18S, gold-filled OF original case with boxed band, threaded bezel and rear, white enamel DS dial with "H" marking below factory signature, SW-LS, nickel damascene, s#16. This serial number is listed in the Hamilton factory ledger as having been sold on January 13th, 1894 to Frank Hammond of Buffalo, New York. Frank Hammond was a railroad watch inspector for the New York Central Railroad as well as a few other railroads that passed through Buffalo, and the capital "H" marking on the dial below the Hamilton factory signature is characteristic to Hamilton watches that were purchased by Hammond. Overall a terrific very low serial numbered example. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, few small fine and micro-fine scratches; dial with edge chip or flake at 1:30; fine hands; case shows very little wear, mild ding to rear which is evident to inner surface of lid but with minimal visibility to exterior, excellent engraving detail, minor wear to brass to high points of boxed areas of band and to high points of pendant; tight bow, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$2000
-
$4000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Elgin, 17J, 16S, 12-13K gold (tested via XRF analysis as 53.53% gold composition) HC recase with gold cuvette, spectacular white and yellow DS dial with multicolor scenic imagery, central portion with Egyptian theme of a woman overlooking the Nile river with pyramids and Great Sphinx in background, curtain behind woman with stylized Elgin Natl Watch Co signature, seconds-register with Shriners scimitar and crescent symbol, outer chapter with Shriners crescent and star symbol at 12 and with a figure on camel at other hour positions all set against a light yellow background, dial with beautiful gold foil highlights interspersed among scene, to symbol at 12, and to symbol in seconds-register which also has silver foil for the blade of the scimitar, SW-SS, nickel damascene, s#17823293. Gross weight of assembled watch 69.8 dwt (108.6 g). An extraordinary and exceedingly beautiful dial, this style is illustrated and identified in Elgin Watch Co. factory literature as "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine." This dial style is illustrated as available in seven versions as seen in our last photo; each of these versions is extremely rare but this dial style is at its most striking in the form of this present example as double-sunk having full color imagery and with camel and rider figure at the hour numerals.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, small patch of oxide to perimeter of larger winding wheel, plates with some typical scattered very small fine scratches; dial with outer chapter hl at 9:30, two faint outer chapter hls at 12:30, some edge flaking between 1 and 1:30 which is nearly fully under bezel, some loss of silver foil to scimitar within seconds-register; fine hands, minute with areas of oxide; case with soldered repair of front and rear planchets with solder excess visible internally and with some surface fractures remaining evident externally, case front opens wide of 90 degrees, case shows medium wear, some dings or mild dents, reduced engraving detail, empty position for a stem detent screw to reverse of pendant; tight bow, crown shows medium wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$2600
-
$4000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Ferd Pairan, maker, serial #1, silver fusee pocket chronometer with pivoted detent escapement, mvt marked "Manufactured at N.G. Baker's, West Aurora, Ill." and marked with 1864 date, dial marked "N.G. Baker, West Aurora, Ill.," 59mm, heavy silver original HED HC with eagle hallmark, white enamel SS canister style (friction fit) dial, KWKS, fully capped pivoted detent escapement with gold escape wheel, likely 19J, gilt mvt, s#1 with matching serial number within case. Gross weight of assembled watch 132.0 dwt (205.5 g). A very intriguing American pocket chronometer of Civil War era vintage, with serial #1 marked to both its case and its movement. Ferdinand Pairan, born in Prussia in 1837, was a chronometer and watch maker that was active in the Chicago, Illinois area during the 1860s and in later life relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio. A tantalizing newspaper entry from pre-statehood Montana, possibly referencing the present watch, is found in the January 6th, 1866 issue of "The Montana Post" and reads ""Chronometer - We have inspected a beautifully finished specimen of the watch-maker's art, belonging to L.C. Lee. It is a silver chronometer, made by Fred (sic) Pairan, Aurora, Illinois. The movement cost $375. It is the only one of the kind in the Territory and is a perfect time-keeper. Lee is manufacturing some fine specimens of gold chain." Please see our final two photos for an image of this entry from "The Montana Post" as well as an image of an entry from the June 12th, 1869 edition of the Chicago Tribune noting Pairan's business relocation within Chicago.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, plates with scattered micro-fine scratches, detent with some shellac excess visible at seat of locking pallet; nearly flawless dial with few negligible very small fine to micro-fine scratches, few infinitesimal pinpoint nicks to lower rim of center hole; excellent hands, hour with some oxide to inner portion of its spade; case shows medium wear, an overall patina with some scattered splotchy darker areas, some scratches to upper perimeter of front and scattered fine to micro-fine scratches elsewhere, few nicks to band, no dents or dings, cuvette with small bit of play at its hinge; tight bow, push shows medium wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$2000
-
$4000
Show All Images
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Dennison Howard & Davis, 15J, 18S, coin silver OF original case with eagle hallmark and anchor hallmark, this combination of hallmarks is characteristic to early Boston Watch Co. factory cases made in-house by casemaker Cabel Westcott, cuvette engraved "Made for W.N. Manning, Rockport, Mass.," white enamel dial, KWKS, gilt mvt, s#1657. A historically important watch by Waltham's predecessor, the Boston Watch Company; this excellent early example is notable for its original condition and its interesting case inscription. William N. Manning was a lifelong resident of Rockport, Massachusetts, and his watchmaking career began at the age of 14 and continued until an age of the mid-to-upper 90s as described in an article included with this lot. Manning was also known to have done contract work for the Waltham factory as he is listed in a December 1857 Appleton Tracy & Co. factory ledger entry (a copy of which is included with this lot), and this entry shows his receipt of a 16 jewel hunting case watch with compensation balance (based on date and description, this would be very likely an "Appleton Tracy & Co." grade movement in 5000s serial range). A further interesting aspect of the present watch's cuvette engraving is that it is notably similar in style and execution to the "Made for" engraving dedicated to another individual that is found in the Cabel Westcott case of Samuel Curtis serial #944 which our gallery sold in June, 2019. The marked similarity of these engravings is suggestive that these presentation engravings were handled in-house by the Boston Watch Co., and if so, this invites the question as to whether there may have been a notable reason for which the Boston Watch Co. produced these "Made for" cases.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, good gilt tone, some mild small spots to plate surfaces, hairspring stud with fine scratch striations from sanding; dial with small perimeter hls around 8, faint hl at 1:30; excellent hands, hour with some oxide and finish loss; case shows medium to ample wear, an attractive patina, some scattered mild dings and nicks, engine turning detail largely lost; tight bow; glass bull's-eye crystal with some scattered mild small scratches.
ESTIMATE:
$2000
-
$4000
Show All Images