DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London, keyless lever, 55mm, heavy 18K gold original HC bearing London hallmarks for 1868, "C F" marking in cameo, front with engraved depiction of the sailing yacht Meteor at sea within a chain wreath, rear with presentation to renowned American shipbuilder Captain Robert Fish by Pierre Lorillard IV who was heir to Lorillard Tobacco, gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial, SW-nail-set, fully capped lever escapement, diamond endstone, 20-21J, gilt mvt, s#03814 with matching serial number to dial. Gross weight of assembled watch 103.1 dwt (160.4 g). A wonderful piece combining a beautiful nautical image with a delightful seafaring provenance, as this watch was given to Captain Robert Fish by Pierre Lorillard IV for his work in building the sailing yacht Meteor which broke the world record for sailing time from Cowes, England to Lisbon, Portugal. Amusingly, in period documentation it would appear that this ship was banned from English regattas for being too "fast." Captain Fish also built the sailing yacht Enchantress for Pierre's brother George, which yacht won numerous national and international cups including the Royal Yacht Squadron's 53-mile (85 km) regatta and the New York Yacht Club's 140-mile (230 km) regatta from Owl's Head Point to Sandy Hook Lightship. Truly a fabulous piece of yachting history for both American and English collectors. (Last two pictures on this listing are not included with the watch.)
CONDITION:
Mvt: Ticking very sluggishly on a full wind, overhaul recommended, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, good gilt tone, scattered nicks and fine scratches to foot of balance cock, some typical mild micro-fine scratches to main plate, oxide to regulator; dial with perimeter hls from 10 to 11:30; fair hands, oxide throughout minute, finish loss to much of seconds-hand length, hour with areas of oxide; case shows very little wear, profuse micro-fine scratches, dent to band at 12:30 with associated surface roughness, some mild dings elsewhere to band, slight ding to upper perimeter of front, excellent engraving detail, weak front lift springs are not making contact through full opening range, need assistance to open lid, and also allow lid to fall back to nearly closed with gravity, front with evident past repair to its hinge tubes and front closing with small gap to band around its lower portion; tight bow, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4400
-
$6600
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"