DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Crystal Plate serial #9, 17J, 4S, gold-plated OF display case, white enamel dial without seconds-register, lever escapement, free-sprung balance, jeweled barrel arbor, gold train, gilt pillar and cock screws, back plate and balance cock constructed from polished transparent rock crystal, quilted pattern gilt damascene dial plate, s#9. A beautiful and notably early example of one of the most iconic watches in American horology, the Waltham Crystal Plate movements have a strikingly unique appearance with red ruby jewels friction set into transparent plates giving the illusion of their floating in mid-air. In total it is believed that approximately 75 examples of the 4 size crystal plate movement were produced. The present example with single digit serial number is notable for having a rarer early style of plate arrangement with a smaller sized main plate held by two pillars, this design believed to have been used for only the first 20 or less examples made before the design was changed to a larger sized main plate held by three pillars for the remainder of 4 size Crystal Plate production. For further information regarding Waltham's Crystal Plate watches we recommend the April 2003 NAWCC Bulletin article titled "Waltham's Crystal Plates" by Gerrit A. Nijssen and Carl B. Goetz.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, main crystal plate nearly pristine with only a small flake or finish imperfection to its underside adjacent one of the pillars, crystal balance cock superb with few minuscule flakes adjacent the hairspring stud screw, gilt dial plate with superb color and luster; virtually flawless dial with only infinitesimally small edge nick under bezel at 5; near mint hands; case shows virtually no wear, no dents or dings; bow pivots semi-freely, crown shows virtually no wear; good glass crystals though front with one very small edge nick.
ESTIMATE:
$10000
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$18000
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