DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, split-minutes and split-seconds chronograph, exceedingly rare, at least 17J, 14S, heavy 18K gold original A.W.Co. HC with initials at front center, small Jurgensen-style lips, glazed observation cuvette, white enamel SS dial, SW-LS, fishscale pattern nickel damascene, s#1833063. Gross weight of assembled watch 94.0 dwt (146.2 g). An exceedingly rare Waltham complication, this is the only example of this type of split-minutes chronograph design we have ever encountered. This watch features both a stacked pair of minute hands and a stacked pair of split-seconds hands, and when the case button at 2 is depressed the lower minute hand is stopped in its position while the upper hand continues to run and the pair of split-seconds hands are activated. Depressing the button at 4 activates the split-seconds hand initiation and reset. A second depress of the button at 2 will stop all chronograph functions, and the third depress of the button at 2 resets the chronograph with the split-seconds hands returning to 12 and with the lower minute hand moving to its position below the upper minute hand. This minute hand arrangement thus serves the same recording function as would be more typically performed by a minute register, though the arrangement of the present piece has notable practical disadvantages that the user must manually calculate the difference in time of the minute hands when the chronograph function is stopped and that the upper minute hand continues to travel with its timekeeping function so the interval between hands will continue to grow as the watch continues running. Given this practical disadvantage relative to a traditional minute register design, we suspect this piece likely represents an earlier but very short-lived effort by Waltham to design a minute recording function for their chronograph line. Given its exceeding rarity, and its striking visual effect with five hands stacked at dial's center, this is a superb piece for an advanced Waltham collection.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good chronograph, split-seconds and split-minute functions aside from an occasional tendency of the split function hands to reset slightly out of index, button on case at 2 must be pushed fully and very firmly to initiate chronograph functions and reset, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scattered micro-fine scratches to plates, some mild bits of oxide to areas of steelwork; visible portion of dial with light hl at 7, light perimeter hls between 1 and 3, some scratches and surface nicks around center; nearly mint hands; case shows light wear, mild ding to right perimeter of front, mild dent to band at 7, scattered dings and nicks elsewhere to band, few mild dings to perimeter of rear, engine turning detail reduced at front and rear shoulders with some small areas of full loss to front shoulder, case front hinge with a bit of play and front lift spring is weak needing assistance opening lid and allowing lid to tilt approximately half-way toward closed with gravity; tight bow thinned slightly at top, crown shows light wear; good glass crystals.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
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$6000
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