DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, likely unique piece marked for Waltham master mechanic Edward A. Marsh and incorporating Marsh's setting mechanism, "Edwd A. Marsh, Waltham, Mass." marked mvt, 16J, 14S, gold-filled OF original Crescent case with "1885" marking within rear as date rather than serial number and with "M" marking (we surmise perhaps for "Model"), rocking bar mechanism set within case band transferring setting motion from case stem to mvt, white enamel SS dial, SW-SS with setting mechanism based on design of Marsh's 1886 US patent number 338946, non-magnetic alloy balance wheel and hairspring, quilted pattern nickel damascene, s#721738. A fascinating and historically notable piece; in 1886 Edward A. Marsh was the master mechanic of the Waltham Watch Co. and received US patent number 338946 on March 30th for a stem setting device that incorporated a rocking bar mechanism within the band of the watch case (this patent was co-held by fellow inventor Walter H. Fitz Gerald of Brooklyn, New York). The present watch is a functional example of this design, and given the signature and excellent overall finish of the movement relative to the far more utilitarian finish of the setting mechanism modification we surmise that this was likely Edward Marsh's personal watch to which he then applied the prototype for his setting mechanism during its development. The serial number of this movement is ostensibly from within a run of 7 jewel "Riverside" production, but this piece is substantially upgraded with ornate nickel damascene, gold jewel settings, gold center wheel, and non-magnetic alloy balance with gold timing screws. Edward A. Marsh's career with Waltham began in 1865 and he was a prolific and gifted designer who eventually held 15 watch and watch machinery related patents and who rose within the Waltham factory ranks holding successive positions of foreman of the machinery department (until 1883), master mechanic (1883 to 1893), assistant superintendent of the factory (beginning in 1893) and ultimately became general superintendent of Waltham Watch Co. by around the turn of the century. Marsh also notably authored several significant works while at Waltham, including "History of Early Watchmaking in America" and "The Evolution of Automatic Machinery." Please see our photos with this lot for images of Marsh's patent 338946 documents, for a view within the case band of this watch, for a view under the dial of this watch, and for a comparative view under dial relative to another Model 1874 movement with a typical factory executed lever-setting mechanism (the gilt mvt in photo, which is shown here only for comparative purposes and is not included with this lot).
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, balance motion with some evident error in its flat, overhaul recommended, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, plates with scattered micro-fine scratches, fourth wheel jewel setting with darkened tarnish, dial plate case screw is missing, missing one upper plate case screw and the presence of upper plate case screw is atypical to this mvt model but presumably were added by Marsh for increased mvt stability within to better serve the setting modifications; dial with scattered hls; poor hands with substantial oxide; case shows medium wear, rear with profuse micro-fine scratches, few small nicks, no dents, thin slivers of wear to brass to band and to raised lips at perimeter of bezel and rear, small slivers of wear to brass to high points of pendant; bow pivots freely and is thinned at top, crown shows medium wear; clean plastic crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1400
-
$2800
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