DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Vanguard with very rare Weems seconds-setting, winding indicator, 23J, 16S, heavy nickel OF original case with button on bezel, silvered dial with rotating seconds-register marked "Weems Pat. Pending," SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel, Lossier inner terminal hairspring, checkerboard center pattern nickel damascene, s#25895882. A rare example of Weems "Aero-Chronometer," this rotating seconds-register design was the creation of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Philip Van Horn Weems and was for the purpose of aeronautic navigation, or "avigation" as it was expressed in this era. The rotating seconds-register of these watches allowed for precise setting of the seconds in accord with radio time signals. This capability was of great importance to accurate and practical aerial navigation, and in 1928 Weems worked closely with famed pilot Charles Lindbergh instructing him in the use of the seconds-setting watch and its associated aerial navigation system. The present example currently has functional seconds-register rotation but is missing a gear within its case bezel that would allow seconds-setting without removal of the bezel.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good winding indicator function, good Weems seconds-setting function when adjusted by turning of exposed gear under dial at 7 but this case design originally incorporated an internally geared brass ring (now missing) within its bezel that allows setting by depressing of the button on the bezel which engages the geared brass ring with the gear under dial, fabrication of this missing component will be needed if full original functionality of Weems mechanism is desired, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, few micro-fine scratches, patch of oxide to larger winding wheel; dial with some scattered mild fine scratches and small surface spots; excellent hands; case shows little wear, profuse fine to micro-fine scratches, some small mars to band/rear seam, ample tarnish; tight bow, crown shows little wear and has excess up/down motion extending further than appropriate when lifted to setting position; glass crystal with some fine scratches and small edge nicks.
ESTIMATE:
$1200
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$2000
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