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CRSIP 1912 ~ Wonderful SOLID GOLD Nouveau Pocket WATCH |
 | Buy, Bid or See more options |
Curent Price | 390.5 USD |
Item # | 170270014983 |
Status | Completed |
End time | 10/10/2008 9:30:00 PM (EST)
|
Ships From | Orlando, FL |
Category | Antiques > Other |
PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE A NEW EBAYER AND/OR HAVE A FEEDBACK RATING LESS THAN (5), PLEASE CONTACT ME FIRST BEFORE BIDDING. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE & COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION PROMPTLY. THANK YOU TO ALL!
SO HERE WE GO...
* * * Please see and read all the details that follow on this RARE, early Genuine Antique, fabulous ART NOUVEAU PERIOD timepiece with the Original & CRISP, SOLID GOLD & HALLMARKED, wonderfully UNIQUELY crafted, SUPERB Gold Hunter Case – Complete with Solid GOLD Movement Dust Cover!
Original White Enamel, SIGNED Dial and Original SIGNED Movement * * *
If all the images do not come up completely, hit the ‘Reload’ or ‘Refresh’ button on your browser to bring them up again.
I BELIEVE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO SAY ABOUT THIS ALMOST 100 YEAR OLD PIECE, IS THAT THE CASE LOOKS NEARLY NEW TO ME !
IT IS MINTY & CRISP THROUGHOUT, AND WAS VERY LIKELY STORED AWAY, AND RARELY USED ! !
CERTAINLY A HIGH QUALITY, TRUE SOLID 14K AMERICAN GOLD TIMEPIECE ~ WEIGHS 1.0 OUNCES (29 Grams) .
GOLD IS ALWAYS A WISE INVESTMENT ~ ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE VALUE THESE DAYS ~ AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL & FUNCTIONAL SPECIMEN !
WONDERFUL AND RARE, made in 1912, SUPERB SOLID GOLD, ART NOUVEAU, FABULOUS AMERICAN POCKET WATCH – THE REAL DEAL !
VERY INTRICATELY CRAFTED, RARE INTRICATE & ORNATE ART NOUVEAU DESIGNS ENGRAVED THROUGHOUT. PRODUCED BY THE FAMOUS & HISTORIC AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH CO., FOUNDED IN 1851.
RUNNING CONDITION – EXPERTLY CRAFTED EARLY HIGH PRECISION LEVER ESCAPEMENT & JEWELED. HIGH QUALITY FULLY SIGNED WALTHAM MODEL 1907 MOVEMENT, BRIGHT & CLEAN, COMPLETE WITH BI-METALLIC COMPENSATED BALANCE, AND SUPERIOR BREGUET OVERCOIL HAIRSPRING ! !
SUPERBLY & UNIQUELY CRAFTED YELLOW GOLD, ORIGINAL, HALLMARKED SOLID 14K GOLD HUNTER CASE. WITH INCREDIBLY DETAILED ORNATE (THICK & HEAVY) ENGRAVED DESIGNS (ON BOTH COVERS!), IN WONDERFULLY CRISP CONDITION ! !
SOLID GOLD (HALLMARKED) DUST COVER & INTRICATELY ENGRAVED GOLD BEZEL, WITH A CLEAR REAL GLASS CRYSTAL. ORIGINAL, SUPERB MINTY WHITE ENAMEL, SIGNED DIAL, AND TOPPED WITH THE ORIGINAL, BLUED STEEL HANDS ! ! !
VERY BEAUTIFUL SOLID, UNIQUE 14K GOLD, GENUINE (over 100 Years Old) ANTIQUE, TIMEPIECE – IN EXCELLENT (LOOKS NEARLY NEW) CONDITION – SEE IMAGES FOLLOWING THE FULL DESCRIPTION:
Here is a wonderful opportunity to acquire an EXCELLENT and ORIGINAL example of a RARE, ORNATE, SOLID 14K GOLD Pocket Watch of the Art Nouveau Period, produced in the finest American watchmaking tradition.
It is obviously very well crafted, equipped with a fabulous movement (RUNNING), and housed in a SUPERBLY CRAFTED Solid 14K GOLD HALLMARKED Highly Ornate Hunter Case!
Well balanced and proportioned, this SUPERB timepiece measures a very nice 33mm (over 1 1/4") in diameter, 10mm (3/8") thick, and weighs 1.0 Ounces (29 Grams).
It is, indeed, a most beautiful Dress Pocket Watch that would have been considered quite a luxurious and special piece in its day.
This GENUINE Antique Pocket Watch dates from 1912 (the year of the Historic TITANIC Sailing!), and is a genuine work of true master craftsmanship, by the famous & historic American Waltham Watch Co. (A.W.W. Co.), founded in 1851 !
The origins of the American Waltham Watch Company began in Roxbury, Massachusetts, No.34 Water Street by the founders, Mr. Davis, Mr. Dennison, and Mr. Howard. Company operations grew, and in October 1854, a factory was built in Waltham, Massachusetts. The early watches were still key wound & set. It was not until 1868 that stem winding was introduced, with the last keywind made in 1919. The company was highly successful and remained in continuous operation until 1957. In total, over 35 million timepieces were manufactured by ‘WALTHAM’ in 105 years! When this piece was made (in 1912) it would have been considered one of the better quality decorative timepieces, produced by the firm during the 20th Century Art Nouveau Period.
It represents the higher end of the finest quality watchmaking and manufacturing of the times, and is comparable in quality to what the other top firms were producing at the turn of the century.
This Watch is a genuine work of their master craftsmanship, and is complete with its ORIGINAL, and wonderful, ORNATE GOLD HUNTER CASE. A Hunter Case (for those not familiar with the term) has an additional solid cover over the face, whereas a typical Open Face Watch does not. This front cover (to conceal and protect the dial) is opened by pressing down on the pendant of the Watch. It is a Case style that was preferred by noblemen, and is still very popular, and desirable, to this day. In fact, it is often characteristic of what people expect when they think of a Pocket Watch.
Hunter Cases are sought after, and always more valuable, also due to that simple fact that they contain MORE GOLD (the extra solid front cover), than a typical open face watch. A definite consideration given the price of GOLD these days!
TRULY A BEAUTIFUL AND HIGHLY DETAILED CRISP CASE!
It is quite something to handle a piece (likely UNIQUE) with such age and history that has survived in OUTSTANDING (especially for the vintage) condition – TRULY A BEAUTIFUL, HEAVY GOLD HUNTER CASE, a wonderful example from such an early period.
The Top Quality, ORIGINAL, Ornate Case and with Gold Dust Cover, is signed by the case maker & FULLY HALLMARKED for 14K Solid GOLD: “GUARANTEED 14K .585 FINE ”, as well as the matching case serial number.
This VERY SPECIAL & UNIQUE, High Quality Case (with GOLD Dust Cover!) is still in EXCELLENT condition. It is obviously well designed, and features highly INTRICATE & UNIQUE case covers, and highly COMPLEX engraved designs throughout the entire piece!
This type of ORNATE design is WONDERFUL, uncommon, and very beautiful in its execution. It has survived so well, it looks basically unused, with perhaps only some slight wear/interior dints (as gold is relatively soft). The only issue with the case is the rear cover hinge, which is loose and would need to be soldered. This in itself, is not a big deal, as the cover does stay firmly closed in place, and rarely does one have any need to open up the back anyway. What is important is that the front cover hinge (which is opened regularly, to see the dial), is in very good condition, nice and firm. I have tried to provide some good photos, but really it can only be fully appreciated in person. HIGHLY COLLECTABLE! It has excellent proportions and balance, and a very nice feel of QUALITY & HEFT in the hand. Just look at the THICKNESS & ORNATE DESIGN of the middle band – WOW!!!
Both Covers feature wonderful Art Nouveau Designs. These highly ORNATE & THICKLY engraved accents, throughout the piece are still CRISP, and look EXCELLENT ~ LIKE NEW !
It is also worth noting that even the cuvette (movement dust cover) is also crafted (HALLMARKED TOO!) from solid 14K GOLD. During this period, it was most common for the cuvette to be made from base metal or brass gilt. Only the very best makers/models went to the extent of making the dust cover out of Gold. Just another example to demonstrate the extent of quality found throughout the piece.
The front cover features an open cartouche (fancy shield design), which has not been initialed, nor has the watch been personalized in any way!
This level, and degree of UNIQUE craftsmanship in TRUE SOLID GOLD (NOT Gold-Filled or Plated!) watchcases is becoming a lost art, and this is such a fine example of the craft demonstrated at its best – RARE TO FIND A WATCH FROM THIS EARLY PERIOD WITH THE ORIGINAL CASE REMAINING IN SUCH CRISP MINTY CONDITION ~ ALMOST 100 YEARS OLD ! !
It is quite something to handle a piece with such age and history that remains in such FABULOUS condition – one of the nicer examples from the period, TRULY A BEAUTIFUL, AND WONDERFUL, SOLID GOLD, INVESTMENT GRADE TIMEPIECE.
You should be able to get a good idea of the condition and quality of this Very SPECIAL Case from the images below. It is difficult to photograph Gold (it's so shiny), and any wavy lines or distortions/shadows you may see are from the camera/light reflections, and not actually on the Watch itself. I have tried to provide good images, including the front, back, and inside of the Watch.
The next EXCELLENT aspect of the Watch is its ORIGINAL Signed Dial. The handcrafted, white enamel Dial, is BRIGHT & CLEAN, and also is in Excellent MINTY Condition ~ I could not detect any problem or unusual wear. It obviously has NOT been refinished (which makes it even more desirable) and still has the original finely painted BLACK numerals & minute markers, as RED Five-Minute markers around the outer chapter ring ~ JUST A FABULOUS, ORIGINAL, GENUINE WALTHAM DIAL !
The Front Bezel is smooth finished Gold, and holds a NICE & CLEAR Real GLASS crystal. To top it off, the Dial is fronted by a fine set (All ORIGINAL) of Blued Steel Hands. It is also a testament to the complete ORIGINALITY of the piece that even the DIAL is properly signed at center, “WALTHAM.”
The High-Quality, Machine Made & Hand Finished, Three-Quarter Plate, High Quality, FULLY SIGNED Movement with going barrel is ORIGINAL, and is obviously very well crafted. Still in STRONG RUNNING condition, it is a true testament to the high degree of quality and craftsmanship that it is still FULLY OPERATIONAL after almost 100 years!
It has been RUNNING very well, and KEEPING TIME TOO. Since I do not know when it was last serviced, it is possible that any old oil is drying up/sticky, and could affect the timekeeping. With regular service and fresh oil, it will continue to perform with excellent results for a timepiece of this vintage. I am offering this wonderful, highly collectable, REAL Solid GOLD, HALLMARKED, Genuine Antique Pocket Watch from the HISTORIC WALTHAM FIRM with a low reserve! The Watch is stem wound and set by the crisply textured ORIGINAL CROWN, both of which still work smoothly and properly.
The High Quality, Waltham Model 1907 Beautifully Damaskeen Engraved Nickel Movement is equipped with an excellent example and top execution of the High Grade, JEWELED, High Precision LEVER escapement. Complete with a club tooth escape wheel, the LEVER itself is of the high performance forked design, and carries JEWELED PALLET STONES.
The roller table supports a JEWELED, impulse/unlocking pin, and mates to a High Grade BI-METALLIC COMPENSATED BALANCE WHEEL. This in itself is yet another fine feature, and sign of higher quality, as many Watches have a plain balance. To ensure the balance was running as true as possible under all conditions, it was finely measured, fitted, and tuned with tiny GOLD screws around the rim. In addition, the balance is made from two metals (bi-metallic), and cut, to allow compensation for temperature changes. As you can imagine, this whole process of manufacture and adjustment was time consuming and costly; therefore it is normally found only on the more expensive, and serious, high grade movements.
Also, in keeping with the High-Grade design, the movement has the highest quality Balance Spring, known as a BREGUET Over-Coil. It was the best type of Balance Spring (hairspring) available at the time, and again found only fitted on the more expensive high precision Watches.
The evenly pulsing hairspring is finely adjusted by a POLISHED STEEL regulator in reference to a special index on the engraved balance cock – a truly beautiful movement!
It is clearly signed: “A.W.W. Co.”, “WALTHAM, MASS.”, along with the movement serial number, “8652082”, which from factory records indicates it was manufactured in 1912.
At the time this piece was made, such Watches were machine made, but still designed and finished by hand - therefore, more rare and collectable – especially fine examples, from this very early period, with the Original, MINTY Glass Fired White Enamel Dial, and housed in the ORIGINAL, SOLID 14K GOLD Hallmarked, FABULOUS Hunter Case, with beautifully detailed & intricately engraved UNIQUE ORNATE designs throughout ~ a Wonderful Highly COLLECTABLE Piece, surviving in WONDERFUL condition to this day!
Ultimately, this is an EXCELLENT, early, solidly crafted, POCKET WATCH, and a wonderful example of a beautiful GOLD timepiece of the early 1900s. If you are a collector, have an interest in Old Watches, or historical GOLD items of the ART NOUVEAU Period, this presents a GENUINE example, that not only looks FABULOUS but has survived amazingly well to this day. Here is an excellent opportunity to add a Most BEAUTIFUL, genuine antique timepiece to your personal collection, or it would make a wonderful gift for someone very special.
Please note, this is an as is, sale final, LOW RESERVE Auction, so feel free to bid, with a good chance of owning this desirable and Antique Solid 14K GOLD & HALLMARKED, Superbly Crafted Pocket Watch ~ HIGHLY COLLECTABLE, ORNATE AND FINELY DESIGNED THROUGHOUT !
Shipping via Priority Mail, within the U.S. is FREE, and the successful bidder will pay for Insurance. Shipping outside the U.S. is based on a standard cost. I accept bids from, and ship, worldwide with the exception of Indonesia, Italy and Nigeria.
PROMPT COMMUNICATION & PAYMENT (PayPal with Confirmed Address) is REQUIRED from the winning bidder immediately following auction close.
I have supplied a number of images (fifteen following this text) to help provide a good view of the many wonderful aspects of this excellent piece; please be patient as they load for you. The entire text and images are COPYRIGHTED. If all the images do not come up completely, hit the ‘Reload’ or ‘Refresh’ button on your browser to bring them up again.
* * * A TRULY BEAUTIFUL LOOKING SURVIVOR, AND MOST INTERESTING COMBINATION OF HIGHLY ARTISTIC ANTIQUE HOROLOGY IN TRUE SOLID GOLD – QUITE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO HOLD IN THE HAND, AND TO SEE IN PERSON * * *
This Special CRISP Pocket Watch, with a SUPERB UNIQUE CASE featuring Complex Intricate & HEAVY GOLD Designs, is INDEED QUITE RARE in this condition (after almost 100 Years!) ~ A VERY SPECIAL PIECE, INTERESTING & HIGHLY COLLECTABLE!
CERTAINLY A HIGH QUALITY, TRUE SOLID 14K AMERICAN GOLD, CRISP, DOUBLE-COVER TIMEPIECE ~ WEIGHS 1.0 OUNCES (29 Grams).
GOLD IS ALWAYS A WISE INVESTMENT ~ ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE VALUE THESE DAYS!
It certainly would be a fabulous piece to start/add to a collection or make a very UNIQUE & SPECIAL Gift that you would not likely ever find another one exactly the same – especially RUNNING & LOOKING GOOD, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS ! ! !
Enjoy eBay, Take Care, and Good Luck Bidding!
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