DESCRIPTION:
APW - United States Watch Co., Marion, N.J., "Improved Self Correcting Calendar" triple calendar with moonphase, marked "N.D. Godfrey, New York" on movement, dial and case, dial additionally marked with 1873 date, 20-21J, 18S, massive 18K gold original "E.H" (Edward Humbert) HC with beautiful vermicelli, floral and fluted engraving detail flowing continuously between lids and scalloped band, signed gold cuvette bearing mvt serial number as well as attributes listed as "Improved Self correcting Calendar Regulated to Heat, Cold, Isochronism and Positions.," glazed mvt observation cover, bow with chain guards, white enamel DS dial with subsidiary seconds in addition to registers for day, date, month and phases of the moon, transitional style SW-LS with retained KWKS arbors, fully capped lever escapement, gold jewel settings, gold cup around barrel arbor, Breguet hairspring, gilt damascene upper plate, frosted nickel pillar plate, s#72042 with matching serial number engraved on the cuvette. Gross weight of assembled watch 108.7 dwt (169.2 g). An exceedingly rare, if not unique, watch that features calendar with correction for differing month lengths. Nathaniel D. Godfrey was a watchmaker located at 24 Second Street of Brooklyn, New York at the time this watch was made, and this lot is accompanied by assorted paperwork with information regarding Godfrey including 1850 census listing, Brooklyn city directory information, and a copy of Godfrey's 1895 death certificate. From the collection of Charles B. Wallace.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, inconsistent calendar function, currently day and moonphase hands are advancing when hands are set forward but the month and date are not, correcting lever at 10 currently not functioning, on a recent previous trial all functions advanced properly when tested via either the correcting lever or setting of the hands forward, unknown to us if this piece was originally designed with full perpetual function or if designed with non-leap year annual correction only, overhaul needed for calendar function, provision to mvt and case for a small lever at 5 but no components currently in this position and no obvious purpose is apparent for anything needed at this position, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, upper plate with few fine and micro-fine scratches, pillar plate with a patch of abrasion visible adjacent the barrel, some fine scratches, inspection of under-dial mechanism reveals some evident past repairs including replacement of a tooth on the minute wheel; dial with scattered hls, small patched edge chip at 5, underside of dial with some areas of filing through to copper base; excellent hands apart from hour which is missing one portion of its fleur-de-lis detail; case shows hardly any wear, no dents or dings, superb engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows little wear; good glass crystals.
ESTIMATE:
$15000
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$30000
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