DESCRIPTION:
APW - E Howard & Co, Boston, s#151, barrel plate from the 51st watch produced, assembly #61 under cock and repeated under dial, the motion wheels each bearing matching assembly #61, indicating a single different source for the rest of the mechanism, early series I, model 1858-A (Geller system), N-S (just over 19S), slightly later coin silver HC with ET silver cuvette (perhaps original to the watch bearing assembly #61), incuse old English script maker's marks "WGB," KWKS, WE-SSD with arched two-line signature, lever escapement with upright pallets, 15J, gilt mvt. Our recent accumulated serial and assembly numbers for model 1858 in the lower numbers are s#111-(#11), s#137-(#37), s#151-(#61, unrelated to the barrel plate), s#175-(#17), s#209-(#34), s#234-(#59), s#404-(54), s#453-(#93), s#490-(#40) and s#518-(#68). The present example has the columns for maintaining power assembly between the plates, but the assembly is lacking. Gross weight of assembled watch 78.0 dwt (121.2 g). Fortunately, through advance advertising of our listings, we get to hear from collectors who know the history of certain items. In this case, a friend of the company bought the barrel plate many years ago and sold it to a friend, who was able to put it together with other parts. Looking at the assembly number, one fails to see any pattern consistent with such assembly number for #151. Our thanks as always to those who bring these buried stories to life!
CONDITION:
Mvt: NR, some restoration issues to deal with, none insurmountable; the between-dial maintaining power assembly is absent; the center wheel is loose on its pinion, and must be staked back on to allow any winding; the escapement ticks a bit with pressure on the third wheel, but then seems to hang up; the male side of the motion work is missing, while one original matching screw holding the motion work cover in place will not go in all the way; the setting cup is missing from its virgule mount; one case screw is missing; fine mvt condition overall, plate tarnish, some light oxide; dial has T-hl to right of signature, seconds dial rotated and affixed with pitch; hands excellent original polished spade; case shows substantial wear, many MFS, light dents to front center, back with very sharp edge dent going into band, no dings, ET detail almost all gone, button and shield remaining; bow loose and thinned; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1600
-
$2400
PRICE SOLD:
$950
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