DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, "Trade Mark A.K. Jobe RR Standard" marked dial, "A.K. Jobe, Jackson, Tenn. Water Valley, Miss." marked mvt, Grade 940, 21J, 18S, gold-filled OF original case with very attractive engine turning and engraving detail to rear, white enamel SS dial, SW-LS, nickel damascene, s#138109. A rare and very interesting railroad grade private label, the viewer is struck immediately by the immense similarity of its dial design and signature to the style typical of Ball Watch Co. "Official RR Standard" watches. This similarity of dial styles raises the interesting question of whether this dial for A.K. Jobe was created with the knowledge and consent of Webb C. Ball, but we are not aware of any documentation that sheds light on this question. Consistent with the small number of other A.K. Jobe marked Hamilton Grade 940/941 watches we've encountered, this example is listed in the Hamilton factory ledger as having been sold to distributor J.W. Forsinger of Chicago, with this particular serial number showing a sales date of December 5th, 1900. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, tip of setting lever protrudes further than appropriate and is impeding the closing of case bezel, overhaul needed to address setting lever protrusion, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some short scratches and small pecks to balance cock foot and around case screw areas, some micro-fine scratches elsewhere, regulator assembly with some mild oxide in areas; excellent dial with faint hl below seconds-register near 5, some mild fine scratches and tiny surface nicks, mild circular hand rub in upper portion of seconds-register, small patched edge flake under bezel near 5, a line of perimeter scrape in areas under bezel; nearly mint hands; case bezel not threading closed due to excess protrusion of mvt setting lever, case bezel is currently only started onto its threads to avoid potential damage or further difficulties caused by tightening the bezel further, setting lever protrusion will need to be addressed for this case to be functionally retained with this mvt, case shows hardly any wear, tiny nick to band at 1, no dents or dings, excellent engine turning and engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$800
-
$1600
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