DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, P.S. Bartlett with rare Baldwin reversible case, pre-Civil War era, Model 1857, 15J with scarce "4 PR" mvt marking denoting the four pairs of plate jewels, 18S, heavy 14K gold original Baldwin & Co. reversible case marked with 1858 patent date and designed for cabriolet function with central body released by depressing pendant push and pivoting on a 45 degree angle allowing proper orientation in either OF or HC form, case lids bearing "R. & A." marking for Robbins & Appleton and bearing three "J.G." markings, gold cuvette, "Appleton, Tracy & Co." marked white enamel dial, hour and minute hands with polished spades, KWKS, gold balance wheel, gilt mvt, s#13229. Gross weight of assembled watch 86.4 dwt (134.5 g). A rare and desirable early case, by pivoting on a 45 degree axis the Baldwin reversible case orients the watch with its pendant in the correct position for both open face and hunting case form. The movement of this example is from a production run listed in Waltham factory records as having been made during February of 1859.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Ticking somewhat sluggishly on a full wind, overhaul recommended, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, main plate and balance cock with good gilt tone, some haze to barrel bridge, plates with few small fine scratches and mild surface spots; nearly flawless dial with very small flake at lower-left rim of center hole; excellent hands; case exterior surfaces when in OF form show ample wear, lid that is only part of exterior when in HC form shows light to medium wear, this differential in wear pattern indicating that the watch spent most of its working lifetime in OF form, case with good reversing function, subtle slight ding toward lower-left of rear lid when in HC form, rear lid when in OF form with only some light traces of engine turning detail faintly remaining in areas, rear lid when in HC form with majority of engine turning detail remaining visible though with some full loss around center and around shoulder, case lift springs allowing opened lid to tilt approximately one-third toward closed with gravity; tight bow, push shows ample wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$4400
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