DESCRIPTION:
APW - M.S. Smith & Co, Detroit, 15J, 18S, very heavy 18K gold original M.S. Smith & Co signed HC with enameled fancy initials to front, beautifully engine turned inner lids, gold cuvette, chain with bow guards, white enamel SS dial, SW-button-set, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, gold train, gold balance screws, gold regulator index, s#56. The present watch is pictured and discussed in Michael C. Harrold's December 1989 NAWCC Bulletin article "Charles L. Hoyt and His Watches" and a copy of this Bulletin is included with the lot. A very rare maker, the M.S. Smith & Co. was a prestigious Detroit jeweler that between 1868 and 1871 produced a very limited number of watches such as the present example that were of their own design and manufacture. These movements were the creation of Charles L. Hoyt, who following his work for M.S. Smith was to several years later bring this same watch design to the ill-fated Freeport Watch Co. venture. In total we believe that Hoyt produced approximately 60 to 70 watches under the M.S. Smith & Co. name as examples we have observed have had serial numbers ranging between approximately 20 and 80. These watches were proudly advertised by M.S. Smith in Detroit periodicals and were frequently referred to as "Our Watch," and a particularly interesting ad in the April 30th, 1871 "Detroit Free Press" includes the text "We are often asked if we REALLY make this watch. We ANSWER, WE DO. Every screw, pinion, wheel, plate, &c., is made and finished from the metal in the rough at our Store, and we respectfully invite all to call and see the watches in the process of manufacture." CONDITION: Mvt: GRO...
CONDITION:
Mvt: GRO, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some small fine scratches, some ultra-fine scratch striations likely from light wiping, some small scattered spots; dial with some hls, few very small surface nicks near center, small edge flake below seconds-register; fine hands, hour with rust to its stem; case shows medium to ample wear, front with some dings in its lower portion and a mild dent to its upper, rear with a small ding to its lower shoulder, no engine turning detail remains, black enameling is substantially intact with only tiny bits of loss, setting button of case is a brass replacement; bow pivots semi-freely, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$5000
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$8000
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