DESCRIPTION:
APW - International Watch Company, scarce 20J Jones caliber "H" grade, (this famous Swiss firm was founded by former E Howard engineer F A Jones with American equipment set up in Switzerland, hence the American attribution), plates and dial marked "Sam Hammond & Co, New York" and "Elson's Patent Sept 15, 1868," 17S dial diameter, 16S case opening, HC mvt housed creatively in GP dollar-watch case, SW-push-locking-LS, WE-SSD also marked with serial number, fully capped lever escapement, GJS, fausses-cotes pattern NI damascene, s#1831. The present watch mvt is the earliest example we have seen yet of the top grade produced, having sold s#14297 in 2013. Jones & Kidder started factory set-up in 1869, Kidder left in 1872 to work for Cornell, and Jones remained until factory completion in 1875, when the company was taken over in bankruptcy. Some 5000 Jones caliber mvts were completed by common estimation. Elson's Patent refers to a mainspring attachment, according to McIntyre at AWCo.org. Sam Hammond retailed chronometers in New York from about 1840.
CONDITION:
Mvt: GRO, excellent mvt condition overall; lever has extension attached, pushing in and locking to set; dial crack from center to 11; hands near mint purple, seconds replaced in blue; case shows very light wear, many MFS, no dents or dings; bow tight, crown shows very light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1500
-
$2000
PRICE SOLD:
$800