DESCRIPTION:
APW - Elgin, Veritas with winding indicator, very rare HC model mvt with conversion dial for OF display, Grade 274, 21J, 18S, gold-filled OF original B&B (Bates & Bacon) case, white enamel DS dial with seconds-register at 3, indicator-register at 9, this orientation allowing the HC model mvt to display correctly in OF style case with 12 position at pendant, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, diamond endstone, ornate nickel damascene, s#10513914. A terrific piece for the Elgin collector; hunting case model movements with Up/Down wind indicator are extremely rare among American production. The actual number made is unknown but only a tiny fraction of Elgin's Grade 274 production was finished with winding indicator feature, and these are the only regular production hunting case model wind indicator movements to have been made by a major American maker. The present example features a scarce conversion style dial allowing the hunting case model movement to orient properly in an open face case. We have encountered several of these conversion dials for the Grade 274 wind indicator movement, and the existence of this special dial that was suitable only to this very rare watch strongly suggests that the concept of a hunting case wind indicator was not a commercial success for Elgin.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good winding indicator function, bright lustrous surfaces, some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches, oxide to regulator assembly; dial with patched edge chip near 2, curved perimeter hl between 12:30 and 2, hls and small associated surface flakes between setting-lever and upper-right rim of seconds-register, small patched edge chip under bezel near 11; case shows very light wear, profuse micro-fine scratches to rear, ding to band at 8, some additional small dings or nicks elsewhere to band, no dents; tight bow, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$2000
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$4000
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