DESCRIPTION:
APW - Rockford, early Model 5 with very rare 24-hour dial and Muckle reversible case, 11-15J, 18S, HC model mvt in coin silver reversible style (cabriolet) recase by Rockford Watch Case Co. with E.A. Muckle's patent rotating inner ring design that allows for display in either HC or OF style, attractive engine turning and engraving detail, white enamel SS dial, transitional style SW-LS with retained KW arbor, gilt mvt, s#35086. A notably early Model 5 movement with spectacular 24-hour dial; we have handled other 24-hour early Rockford dials with similarly staggered odd and even numeral chapters but this is the first example we have encountered with red hash marks at the even hour positions and this small touch of color adds substantially to the striking appearance of the dial. Rockford's Model 5 production appears to have begun at serial number 35001, making the present example the 86th made by serial number.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running when wound by key but stemwinding mechanism is not functioning and makes a notable clicking sound when briefly tested, setting lever currently not shifting to engage setting function, hour and minute hand motion is correctly geared to 24-hour dial display, overhaul needed to address winding and setting functions, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, strong gilt color with few small spots of haze to plates, green oil smear to steel winding arbor escutcheon seen in photo has since been wiped cleanly away; excellent dial with hl below seconds-register at 13 hours, light hl at perimeter near 20 hours, seconds-register possibly re-pasted with subtly evident unevenness of fill material to its junction with main dial body; fine hands, hour with some bends and areas of oxide; case lever-set slot has been enlarged to accomodate the sliding style setting lever of the present mvt, case shows medium wear with reduced engraving and engine turning detail to all surfaces that are exposed when in open face orientation, lid which is only exposed when in hunting case orientation shows hardly any wear with crisp engraving and engine turning detail, these differential in wear patterns indicates that this watch spent virtually all of its working life being carried as an open face style, case shows no dents or dings, good reversing function; tight bow, replacement crown shows hardly any wear; thick glass crystal with few small surface scratches.
ESTIMATE:
$1000
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$1800
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