DESCRIPTION:
APW - Illinois, Benjamin Franklin, 25J, 16S, gold-filled OF recase, white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, capped third wheel, jeweled barrel, two-tone checkerboard pattern gilt and nickel damascene with bright spotted surround, gilt mvt screws and regulator assembly, s#2135600. An attractive example of this extremely rare top grade private label. Although Illinois references (Meggers' book and Russ Snyder's database) suggest a production of over 100 made for the 25 jewel open face Benjamin Franklin, we believe the actual production was in fact only 55 made. Examples we have encountered have been found in five very small production runs as follows - serial numbers 2135586 to 2135600, 2242131 to 2242140, 2287901 to 2287905, 2406951 to 2406965, and 2406971 to 2406980 (the Illinois database by Dr. Russ Snyder notes an additional larger serial range of ninety watches at 2287911 to 2288000, but we believe this group to be in error as the multiple watches we have seen in this range of 90 numbers have all been 23 jewel with factory "Sangamo" marking).
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, good two-tone color, small spot to barrel bridge near winding arbor, some scattered very small mild spots elsewhere, winding wheel and regulator assembly with oxide, regulator spring and some screw heads with ample gilt loss; dial with faint outer chapter hls near 1 and 7, fine scratch to lower perimeter of seconds-register, fine scratch near mid-point of signature, edge chipping under bezel between 12:30 and 3:30; fine hands, minute with oxide to tip and hub; case shows little wear, slight shallow dent to upper portion of rear shield, good engine turning detail, spots of wear to brass to pendant; tight bow, crown shows little wear; glass crystal with some scattered small scratches.
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$6400
"
"
"
"
"