DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Samuel Curtis, serial #916, 15J, 17S, unmarked coin silver HC, cuvette engraved "American Lever Sold by A.M. Ward. Hartford, Conn.," white enamel dial, KWKS, gilt mvt, s#916. A historically important early watch, the Samuel Curtis was produced by Waltham's predecessor the Boston Watch Co. and in total approximately 900 were made with serial numbers ranging between about 100 and 1000. This particular example is notable for its unusual case signature for retailer A.M. Ward of 194 Main St, Hartford, Connecticut, who was a frequent advertiser during the mid-1850s in the "Hartford Courant" periodical.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, some discoloration and spotting at perimeter of main plate to area around end of "Curtis" marking, some additional lesser surface spots elsewhere, some scratches with the most notable being between the case screw position and the fourth wheel jewel setting, some raised circular marks to barrel bridge surface around barrel arbor; dial with light hl at 4:30, hl from 9:30 to center, some small perimeter fractures at 9:30; excellent hands, minute with oxide to tip; case has a small mar to its inner rear lip around the mid-point between the hairspring stud and the "S" marking of the regulator index but we believe this case likely is the original to this watch and that this small mar is likely from a cause other than being a case screw witness mark from another movement, the reason we believe this is due to the non-standard sizing of the Curtis movement, the presence of only a single locator pin hole which is correctly matched to the present mvt, and due to the appropriate vintage of the retailer's case signature to the present mvt, case shows ample wear, some scattered dings and nicks, rear hinge has some play and tips open and closed loosely with gravity; tight bow, push shows medium wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
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$4400
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