AUCTION : 220925

Horology & Jewelry Virtual Auction Event
Sunday, September 25th, 2022

- No Reserves - No Buyer's Premium - No Sales Tax - No Online Bidding Fees -

Preview by appointment, Auction starts at 11am.


THIS IS A PARTIAL CATALOG as of 08/23/2022, subject to revision.

Although this auction has a live close by a live-streamed auctioneer, there will be no in-person bidding.
Bids will be accepted online and by pre-arranged telephone bids.



European Pocket Watches Part 1

Stock#: JH60420

DESCRIPTION: EPW - A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte, minute repeater presented by Adolf Hitler to Dr. Theodor Morell, 57mm, 18K gold original A. Lange & Söhne HC with inner front lid engraved "Zum 22.7.44 mit den herzlichsten wünschen Adolf Hitler" (translates as "On July 22, 1944, with warmest wishes from Adolf Hitler"), front and rear with small Jurgensen-style lips, gold cuvette, white enamel DS dial, gold hands, SW-shift-locking-LS with setting mechanism released by depress of button in crown, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, gold escape wheel and pallet, diamond endstone, 29J per factory records, gilt mvt, s#91764 with matching serial number within case. Comes with its original box containing certificate with correctly matched serial number marking. Gross weight of assembled watch 92.1 dwt (143.3 g). A watch of tremendous historical significance involving core figures in one of humanity's darkest chapters; Dr. Theodor Morell was Adolf Hitler's personal physician from 1936 to 1945, and this watch was presented by Hitler to Morell on the date of his 58th birthday. Morell was known for his unconventional practices and throughout this time administered a dizzying array of powerful drugs to Hitler via both injection and pills; and to what extent these "treatments" by Morell may have shaped Hitler's thoughts and actions during this period remains a subject of important historical debate. The presentation of the watch on this date is noted in Morell's personal diaries, and of interesting historical note this date was just a single day after the failed assassination plot of Operation Valkyrie that targeted Hitler with a bomb, and immediately following this failed assassination attempt Hitler's injuries were treated by Morell. The watch was liberated in 1945 by U.S. military member H.R. Ira of Missouri who was a member of the 101st airborne and was tasked with guard duty of the Morell laboratory in the Platterhof Hotel of Obersalzberg, Germany. Shortly following Ira's return to the United States following the war, this watch was displayed in the window of Schneider Jewelry Co. of 736 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, MO as noted in a local newspaper article of the time. In July of 1996, the watch was sold by members of Ira's family to the German militaria collector Thomas Wittmann. As pictured, this lot also comes with a copy of the newspaper article describing the watch's post-war display at Schneider Jewelry, with numerous documents regarding its sale from the Ira family to Thomas Wittmann, with the book "The Secret Diaries of Hitler's Doctor" in which Morell documents his receipt of the watch on his birthday, and with the book "Blitzed Drugs in the Third Reich." A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF THIS LOT WILL BE DONATED TO THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, DC, USA. Their mission: "The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is working to keep Holocaust memory alive while inspiring citizens and leaders to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity in our constantly changing world." You can learn more at https://www.ushmm.org/
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good repeat function and tone apart from some sluggishness to striking of higher numbers of minute strikes, virtually mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, superb gilt surfaces, infinitesimal specks of oxide to loop of regulator spring; nearly flawless dial with tiny edge nick under bezel at 12:30 that is aligned with a small file mark on dial's canister ring; nearly mint hands; case shows hardly any wear, some small dings to upper-center of front causing a rippling of reflected light in these areas, case front and rear open a bit short of 90 degrees (to approximately 80 degrees each); tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal; box shows very little wear, some mild finish loss at corners and edges, outer material peeling up at one side of rear over hinge area, interior excellent, an extra mainspring wrapped in paper sits below the cap of the smaller compartment.
ESTIMATE: $50000 - $100000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH61066

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Patek Philippe, Genève, minute repeater with split-seconds chronograph, 53mm, 18K gold heavy original J&S (Jeannot & Shiebler) HC for American market, button on band at 12 for primary chronograph function, split-seconds function controlled by depress of crown, gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial marked for retailer Randolph & Co. of San Francisco, SW-shift-locking-LS, fully capped lever escapement with counterpoise, likely 30+J, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#48260 with matching serial number within case. Gross weight of assembled watch 101.0 dwt (157.1 g).
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good repeat function, tone of hour strikes and of second chime of quarter-hour strikes is dull and with some rattle, good chronograph function aside from tendency of hand to at times stall a beat or two before skipping ahead to catch up with proper position, good split-seconds function, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, toning of plate surfaces, some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches; nearly flawless dial with fine scratch below seconds-register between 5 and 6, few micro-fine scratches elsewhere; nearly mint hands; case shows medium wear, no dents or dings, reduced engine turning detail with full loss throughout shoulders; tight bow, crown shows medium wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $20000 - $40000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH61033

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Patek Philippe, Genève, minute repeater with chronograph, mvt is unsigned, dial and case are marked to retailer Tiffany & Co. of New York, 56mm, heavy 18K rose gold original HC with small Jurgensen-style lips, signed gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial, SW-shift-locking-LS, likely 30-34J, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#90130 to cuvette. Gross weight of assembled watch 106.1 dwt (165.0 g). Watch comes as pictured with an extract from the Patek Philippe archives noting its attributes and its sales date of October 1st, 1890 as well as with a modern Patek Philippe leather pouch and a modern box from the Henri Stern Watch Agency.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good repeat function and tone, good chronograph function, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, profuse micro-fine scratches to balance cock, some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches elsewhere, surface spot to repeat bridge; dial with hl from 1:30 to upper-right rim of seconds-register, light hl from 3 toward center, small hl right of center, very small edge chip under bezel at 4; mint hands; case front lift spring needs assistance to open lid and allows opened lid to tilt back approximately one-third toward closed with gravity, case shows medium wear, no dents or dings, front and rear with some visibility of their planchet seams and with some pinpoint pitting along areas of planchet seams, case rear opens a bit short of 90 degrees (to approximately 80 degrees); tight bow, crown shows light wear with small ridge break; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $20000 - $30000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH59511

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Patek Philippe & Co, Genève, minute repeater, mvt with Patek Philippe signature and marked "Special", watch is marked to mvt, dial, and case for retailer Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. of Philadelphia, 51mm, 18K gold OF original J&S (Jeannot & Shiebler) case for American market, initials to rear, gold cuvette engraved "Malcolm Macfarlan from George Burnham December 25th, 1904," white enamel SS dial, SW-SS, fancy gold Louis XV style hour and minute hands, fully capped lever escapement with counterpoise, fully jeweled repeat train, likely 30-35J, wolf's tooth winding, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#112088 with matching serial number within case. Comes with a Bailey, Banks & Biddle Philadelphia marked box. Gross weight of assembled watch 70.0 dwt (108.9 g). An attractive minute repeating Patek Philippe with presentation to an interesting pair of individuals; Malcolm Macfarlan was born in Scotland in 1841 and came to the United States with his parents at the age of five, was a field surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War and graduated from Yale medical school in 1865, and went on to practice and teach medicine in Philadelphia until his death in 1921. George Burnham was a prominent Philadelphia resident as well, best known for his years serving as chief financial officer of the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good repeat function and tone, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, scattered mild micro-fine scratches, small dark spot to crown wheel bridge; excellent dial with only a faint hl near 1:30; nearly mint hour and minute hands, fine seconds-hand appears to be blued steel that was painted gilt but with this gilt paint now mostly lost; case shows very little wear, profuse micro-fine scratches, ding or mild dent to band at 10 causing small flat spot, good engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows very little wear; good glass crystal; box shows medium wear with exterior finish loss to front side of upper lid, finish loss at corners, and finish loss in some additional areas around the sides, inner lid liner with some gold printing loss to retailer's marking.
ESTIMATE: $16000 - $24000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH60665

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Patek Philippe, Genève, split-seconds chronograph with 30-minute register, movement, dial and case marked to retailer Bailey, Banks & Biddle of Philadelphia, 46mm, 18K gold OF original PP.Co case with name engraved to rear, slide on band at 11 to allow or prevent chronograph activation, flush rear hinge, gold cuvette with signature ring bearing Patek Philippe and retailer's markings, refinished gilt dial, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement, 28J, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#198130 with matching serial number to cuvette. Comes with its original fitted Bailey, Banks & Biddle marked leather box. Gross weight of assembled watch 47.2 dwt (73.4 g).
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, chronograph with good stop, start and reset function but when in motion the sweep hands frequently stall for a beat or two before skipping ahead to proper position, good split-seconds function aside from an occasional sluggishness of reset, good minute register function, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, few micro-fine scratches, very little oxide to steelwork; dial has been refinished but the quality of this work was superb with its original black enamel retained, dial cosmetically superb with few minimal contact marks in visible portion, some perimeter scrape under bezel; excellent hands; case shows light wear, scratches to rear opening lip and adjacent area of band and case rear perimeter, two mild shallow dings to rear evident as rippling of reflected light, good engraving detail, case rear opens wide of 90 degrees (to approximately 110 degrees); tight bow, crown shows light wear; glass crystal with some glue excess at its seat; box shows medium wear, exterior finish loss at edges and corners, patches of finish loss to other exterior surfaces, interior with some mild soiling.
ESTIMATE: $7000 - $11000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH61001

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Swiss, miniature minute repeater, 28mm, front-to-rear thickness of 6.1mm, 18K gold OF original case, gilt dial, SW-SS, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, 30J per notes from a recent servicing, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#11716 with matching serial number within case. Gross weight of assembled watch 9.4 dwt (14.7 g). An extraordinarily small minute repeater at 28mm diameter which is a true rarity at this tiny size; this is the smallest minute repeater which our firm has had the pleasure of handling. At the present moment the piece is running and striking, but our consignor notes that at times recently it has failed to run and strike when the dial and case bezel are in position so for this reason we are listing it as in need of skilled overhaul to address the possible underlying issue, and we are including photos of the watchmaker's notes from its recent servicing that document his findings and description of the issue the watch is at times having.
CONDITION: Mvt: Presently ticking after a twist to start and minute repeater is presently striking properly with good tone upon our testing but at other times recently this watch has failed to run and strike when the dial and case bezel are in place so for this reason we can make no claim to its continued functionality and believe a skilled overhaul is needed to address any possible underlying issue, please see our photos for notes from the watchmaker who recently serviced the piece, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, some toning of plate surfaces, few micro-fine scratches; dial with fine to micro-fine scratch between 9 and center, few additional micro-fine scratches elsewhere, mild contact marks and small dark spots in visible portion, some perimeter wear under bezel, dial was previously with an applied "Touchon & Co." marking which removed fully during cleaning; excellent blued original hour hand, minute hand is a gilt replacement that was colored dark but has lost some of its coloration; case shows little wear, some fine scratches to vertical brushed finish of rear, small ding toward upper-left of rear is evident to inner surface of lid but with minimal exterior visibility, case rear opens short of 90 degrees (to approximately 75 degrees); bow pivots freely, crown shows little wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $5000 - $10000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH61239

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Fritz Piguet & Bachman, Genève, minute repeater with split-seconds chronograph, 52mm, heavy 18K rose gold original FP&B HC with initials to front, small Jurgensen-style lips, signed gold cuvette bearing attributes, glazed mvt observation cover, white enamel DS dial, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement with counterpoise, 36J per cuvette inscription, balance with palladium hairspring, frosted nickel finish with upper plates having subtle fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene lightly evident, s#12251 with matching serial number to cuvette. Gross weight of assembled watch 90.8 dwt (141.2 g). A very attractive piece with an impressive in-hand presence.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good repeat function, repeat tone with a mild rattle to its hour strikes and the second tone of each quarter-hour strike, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, few small micro-fine scratches; nearly flawless dial with mild fine scratch near 1, minuscule pinpoint nick to lower-left rim of seconds-register hole; nearly mint hands, hour with small bit of finish loss to its spade; case shows little wear, small nick to left shoulder of rear, excellent engraving detail, front and rear planchet seams with subtle visibility as a very fine line of color difference; tight bow, crown shows little wear; good glass crystals.
ESTIMATE: $6000 - $10000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH59031

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Unsigned Continental, quarter-hour repeater skeletonized with two-figure jacquemart automation, 56mm, 18K gold OF original case, rear shield with initials, spring-loaded gilt cuvette, white enamel perimeter dial chapter around glazed center revealing skeletonized cadrature, multicolor gold jacquemart figures striking bells in concert with repeat operation, flowers, birds and basket over repeat work, KWKS (a key is included as pictured), verge escapement, gilt mvt with elegant polished steel balance cock having open work table, s#186 and 4187 within case. Gross weight of assembled watch 76.6 dwt (119.2 g).
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, frequently with good repeat and automation function and tone but hour strikes are quite rapid and frequently successive hour strikes occur extremely rapidly with some strikes having a lesser tone and only a slight movement of automaton's arm, occasionally among the rapid strikings an extra hour strike is included, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, good gilt tone, some small areas of haze, some scattered scratches and fine scratches which are primarily around pillar positions and regulator index, one pillar lacking a taper pin; dial chapter with hls at 3:30 and near 6, crudely filled edge chipping between 11:30 and 12 and between 2:30 and 3:30, small perimeter fracture and very small associated surface flake at 9:30, tiny nick to inner rim of dial chapter at 12:30; excellent hands; case shows very little wear, protruding ding to lower rear perimeter, few mild dings and nicks elsewhere to rear perimeter, dings to band at 4 and 9:30, dings to bezel between 9 and 9:30, excellent engine turning detail; gold-filled replacement bow pivots freely; good domed glass bull's-eye bezel crystal with some glue excess at its seat, good glass crystal inside perimeter dial chapter over mvt cadrature.
ESTIMATE: $4000 - $6000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH59982

DESCRIPTION: EPW - C.H. Meylan, Brassus, very small minute repeater, 34mm, 18K gold original HC with small Jurgensen-style lips, gold cuvette, swivel pendant, white enamel DS dial, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement with counterpoise, 27-35J, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#5642. Gross weight of assembled watch 28.1 dwt (43.8 g). At 34mm diameter, this watch is in the realm of a typical smaller-sized pendant watch, and minute repeating pocket watches of this quality are quite scarce at this size.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, occasional good repeat function and tone but occasional instances where striking temporarily stalls and needed a bit of coaxing (gentle jostle or tapping sufficed during our trials) to complete its strike, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, scattered fine to micro-fine scratches include a number radiating around center jewel setting; virtually flawless dial with minuscule edge nick under bezel at 12 adjacent an index notch on dial's canister ring; nearly mint hands; case rear with significant excess play at its hinge which has metal loss and splits to its outer hinge tube segments, case rear opens significantly wide of 90 degrees (to approximately 125 degrees), case shows little wear, some scratches at upper-right perimeter of front likely from someone's misguided past attempt to open with a blade, few small nicks to rear; tight bow, crown shows light wear with small ridge break; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $4000 - $6000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH59681

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Gruen, Fiftieth Anniversary Watch, "Twenty-One 21 Jewels & Two Diamonds" marked mvt with gold plates, Swiss made for American market, 12S, heavy 18K white gold pentagonal Gruen marked case with "J.F.D." initials in blue enamel to rear, gold cuvette engraved "Made Especially For and Presented to J. Frank Darling by his Associates and Employees August 1924," refinished silvered dial with applied gold numerals, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement, diamond endstones over balance and escape wheel, ornately engraved rose gold mvt plates, s#220. The Gruen Fiftieth Anniversary Watch was produced in 1924 with a total production of 650 made, this total figure corresponds to a group of 600 in recognition of each of the months of the 50 years along with a separately numbered series of 50 in recognition of each of the years. These watches were catered to a very exclusive clientele being marketed as "The Priceless Possession of a Few" at a prohibitively expensive base cost of $500 in 1924. For those who weren't feeling quite extravagant enough with just the $500 base cost in 1924 dollars, there were even higher priced options available with upgrades of case material, finish, and design.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces with few small micro-fine scratches; refinished dial cosmetically excellent with few small mild surface spots, upper portion of the of the "1" numeral in 12 is lifted from surface; nearly mint hands; case shows light wear, profuse micro-fine scratches to rear, no dents or dings, engraving detail with mild reduction, some flaking and losses to blue enamel inlay of rear initials; tight bow, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $3000 - $5000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH60418

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Albert H. Potter, Geneva, "Model No. 14" marked mvt of unusual plate design, 51mm, 14K rose gold or better (tested, bezels holding 18K test on stone, band with fade of 18K solution on stone but no fade of 14K solution) OF original display case, unsigned white enamel SS dial, SW-SS, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, 18-19J, balance cock and upper surface of main plate with narrow striped pattern nickel damascene, mvt marked as "Model No. 14." A very intriguing piece from this top quality maker, Albert H. Potter was born in New York in 1836 though the majority of his watchmaking activity took place after his emigration to Switzerland in about 1875. The present watch has a very different plate design than the typical production of Albert H. Potter, and we suspect may be a unique prototype trial of this distinctive plate design.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, toning of plate surfaces, fine to micro-fine scratches to balance cock, micro-fine scratches to main plate, some scattered surface spots with the most notable being to the dial plate below the third wheel; excellent dial with some mild micro-fine scratches; fine hands of mismatched colors, hour and minute are blue, seconds-hand is plum colored, oxide to minute tip; case shows medium wear, dent to band at 6, dings to band at 9 and 10, wear has exposed planchet seam around rear crystal; tight bow, crown shows ample wear with ridge break; glass crystals of differing edge contours, front with scratch left of center.
ESTIMATE: $3000 - $5000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH59983

DESCRIPTION: EPW - G. & J.C. Burrell, Sheffield, quarter-hour repeater with concealed erotic automation within rear, jacquemart automation to front with angels striking bells, 43mm, heavy 18K gold OF case purpose-made for watch's present form, rear with applied diamond and ruby inset monogram initials, gold cuvette with glazed erotic scene consisting of a pair of lovers at left with the man having automated action and of a captivated woman with automated arm onlooking from the background at right, cream colored enamel dial with gold foil minute markers, surrounded by two-figure jacquemart automation set against a blued steel background, KWKS (key not included with this lot), fully capped lever escapement, modified gilt mvt was originally with keyless winding and has been modified to its present automated form, s#8346. Gross weight of assembled watch 64.2 dwt (99.8 g).
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good repeat function and tone, good automation function, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, scattered fine scratches, some small surface mars, oxide to regulator; dial with flake left of center; dial surround including automata and blued steel background is cosmetically excellent; fine hands, minute with oxide and finish loss; case shows very little wear, pinpoint nick to bezel edge at lower-left, rear initials with all gemstones present, erotic scene nearly mint with few small fine scratches; tight bow; good glass front crystal, clean rear plastic crystal over erotic scene is bored for keyhole access.
ESTIMATE: $3000 - $4600

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH60974

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Unsigned Swiss, perpetual calendar with retrograde date, 58mm, 18K gold original HC with star form diamond overlays to front and rear, set with 2 large rose cut diamonds and 24 smaller rose cut diamonds of fine quality, button on band near 12 for calendar advance, locking slide adjacent, possible maker's hallmark indistinct with wear, gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial with unsunk registers for month indication and subsidiary-seconds, sunken register for day, and upper sector for retrograde date, SW-button-set, lever escapement, 15J, wolf's tooth winding, gilt mvt, s#3245 and s#45882 within case. Gross weight of assembled watch 98.7 dwt (153.5 g). An elegant large-sized perpetual calendar with particularly beautiful gold and diamond case.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good calendar function, case locking slide to prevent accidental calendar advance is not engaging unless held with firm pressure, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, superb gilt surfaces, some oxide to winding wheels and click assembly; dial with crudely patched chipping around center hole, hl from center to near 6, very short hl above center; fine date sector hand has oxide to its spade and is blue colored, all other hands plum colored, minute hand with oxide to tip, other hands excellent; case shows hardly any wear, small nick toward upper-left of front which is more evident to inner surface of lid, band with dent causing flat spot at 10:30, few dings to band, superb engine turning detail, all diamonds present; tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $3000 - $4600

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH58271

DESCRIPTION: EPW - J. Glover, London, pocket chronometer with spring detent escapement and helical hairspring, 54mm, heavy 18K gold original HC with spring-loaded rear, gold cuvette, selection of opening front or rear controlled by tilting bow away from desired side, white enamel SS dial, spring detent escapement with capped escape wheel, free-sprung balance with helical hairspring, diamond endstone, likely 14-15J, gilt mvt, s#304 with matching serial number within case and to dial. Gross weight of assembled watch 86.6 dwt (134.7 g).
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scattered micro-fine scratches and small surface spots, ultra-fine scratch striations to main plate likely from a past light wiping; excellent dial with hl below seconds-register at 6, tiny as-made finish imperfection at edge under bezel at 1; fine hands, finish loss to spade and swell of minute; case shows very little wear, no dents or dings, excellent engine turning detail; tight bow, push shows little wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $3000 - $4400

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH60613

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Longines, Swiss, believed to have been a personal watch of Pancho Villa, famed general of the Mexican Revolution, 55mm, .900 silver original Longines HC with beautiful engraving detail, pendant with unusual design having cap over top of crown with a hole at center for button, signed cuvette bearing medallions, glazed mvt observation cover, rose gold-filled bow, white enamel SS dial, SW-LS, lever escapement, 15J, nickel damascene, s#2592902 within case. Comes as pictured with a 10 inch silver chain, with a series of photographs and documents that were paired with the watch during its early chain of provenance, and with printed copies of three newspaper articles citing early owner's names that match to some of the items included here with the watch. The story that emerges from the three newspaper articles (which were in the January 9th, 1925 edition of the "Buffalo Evening News" of Buffalo, NY; the January 20th, 1925 edition of the "Intelligencer Journal" of Lancaster, PA; and in the January 7th, 1930 edition of the "Times Herald" of Olean, New York) is of a "large sterling silver Swiss watch" which Panco Villa received from a French nobleman and then in turn gave to John Wells, who befriended Villa while stationed in Mexico for six months, and who in turn passed away on Christmas of 1924 leaving the watch to his nephew Carl F. Quinlan. Among the additional items with the watch are an early typed document detailing the division of the estate of Carl F. Quinlan including the passage of the "Poncho Villa (sic) Watch" to his son, Carl S. Quinlan, a 1920 passport for William J. Wells which is described in a small type written note as "Passport of John Wells is from a later trip" (we suspect that the "J." is for "John," and that likely he primarily used this middle name, but we do not have genealogy records or documentation to support this supposition), and also a group of black and white photos and photo postcards which include a postcard that is addressed to W.J. Wells and also a photo of Pancho Villa that has a handwritten note of "Francisco Villa, Juarez, Mexico" on its rear. There is also a note from the 1980s regarding the sale of Pancho Villa's Longines watch from a Ronald Knecides to a Lou Kazamarak as well as clippings from a 1980s article regarding the death of Oneida, New York resident Chester Pflanz, and we have not attempted to research these 1980s era names but as they were included to us with the documentation with the watch they may well be worthy of further research to establish more links in its provenance history. In all a fascinating bit of Mexican Revolution history, we have no further documentation or history beyond what is presented here with the lot, but we do find this to be sufficiently compelling in establishing the likely validity of the watch as having indeed belonged to Pancho Villa.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, winds stiffly, some scattered hazy spots to plate surfaces; excellent dial with hl below seconds-register; nearly mint hands; case front lift spring is not functioning as opened lid falls freely opened and closed, case shows very little wear, an attractive overall patina, no dents or dings, excellent engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows very light wear; good glass crystals. Chain shows little wear, an attractive overall patina.
ESTIMATE: $2000 - $4000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

Stock#: JH61257

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Agassiz, Swiss, mvt marked "Made for Tiffany & Co. by Agassiz W. Co.," chronograph, 47mm, 18K gold OF original case engraved "Wiley Post Aug. 27 - 1930" to its rear, gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial, SW-SS, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, 19J, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#126689 with matching serial number within case. Gross weight of assembled watch 46.7 dwt (72.7 g). An attractive high grade watch that is a very cool piece of early aviation history; Wiley Post, born November 22, 1898 and died August 15, 1935, was a famed American aviator who first rose to national prominence for winning the National Air Race Derby, from Los Angeles to Chicago, on the date of August 27th, 1930. Please see our photos for images of entries in the August 28th, 1930 edition of "The News and Observer" newspaper of Raleigh, North Carolina that shows a photo of Post and description of his victory with $7,500 winning prize. The present watch with its engraving of Wiley Post's name and this date appears to have been given to Post in recognition of this event. Soon after Post was to achieve even greater national attention, as in 1931 he and a navigator completed the world's first successful around-the-world flight by a single-engine monoplane. In 1933, Post took this historic achievement a step further by dispensing with the navigator and successfully completing the world's first solo around-the-world flight.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good chronograph function, virtually mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, few minimal small micro-fine scratches, some scattered very small mild haze spots; virtually flawless dial with tiny edge flake under bezel near 11; nearly mint hands; case shows very little wear, some areas of scratching inside rear, mild protruding ding below center of rear engraving, some scattered dings to band, good engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows very little wear; clean plastic crystal.
ESTIMATE: $2000 - $4000

Show All Images
Back to top of page

All Images Copyright © 2022, Jones & Horan Auction Team