DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, American Watch Co, 19J, Model 1860, 16S, heavy 14K gold or better (tested, exhibiting fade on stone of 18K solution, no fade of 14K solution) OF "H.T.S. & S." marked case with inaccurate "K 18" marking in cameo, gold cuvette engraved "Presented to R.J. Bennett, by the Employees of the Troy & Boston Rail Road October 28th, 1880," white enamel SS dial with script signature, originally finished by Waltham as KWKS, at some point in its existence was converted to SW-LS via addition of an Abbott's attachment, but ultimately has been reverted back to KWKS form with all functional components of the Abbott's mechanism no longer present though with the Abbott's plate plug and associated machining operations involved with its conversion remaining evident, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, gold train, mvt marked "Fogg's safety Pinion Patented," gilt mvt, s#210313. Gross weight of assembled watch 75.7 dwt (117.8 g). Comes with a key. A rare top grade movement, the total production of the Model 1860 "American Watch Co." grade with gilt movement finish is believed to be between 375 and 405 made. The Troy and Boston Railroad was chartered in April of 1848 and organized in November of 1849. This railroad connected Troy, New York to the Vermont state line and formed the most direct and shortest line from New York to Montreal. (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_and_Boston_Railroad)
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, mvt with evident modifications associated with its previous Abbott's stemwind conversion attachment (viewing the assembled watch the telltale sign is the "extra" plate screw intersecting the "Waltham" marking and the lack of an arbor in the small hole below the patent markings, these modifications due to components of the 1860 Model design that must be altered to make room for the Abbott's mechanism; viewing under dial reveals the rest of the modifications that have been made and please see our attached photo for an under dial view), otherwise fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, plates with a somewhat yellowed tone and spotty haziness, some micro-fine scratches, mild oxide to steelwork, balance cock with a non-blued replacement screw; dial with some scattered hls, edge flake or small chip at 1, some separation of seconds-register from main body of dial, pinpoint surface spot at perimeter at 10:30, minuscule edge nick under bezel at 10; fine hands, hour with slight bend; case rear and cuvette open somewhat wide of 90 degrees (to approximately 105 degrees) and rear has a small bit of play at its hinge, case shows medium wear, few fine scratches to cuvette, some small nicks to bezel, no dents, reduced engine turning detail with full loss through rear shoulder; tight bow thinned at top; glass crystal with some minuscule edge nicks and some glue excess at its seat.
ESTIMATE:
$2400
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$2800
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