DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Crystal Plate, serial #16, Model 1872, 16-17J, 16S, 18K gold OF original A.W Co case with "Y" prefix serial number, gold cuvette, white enamel DS dial with Arabic numerals in radial orientation and with distinctive Old English "A.W.Co." signature, SW-LS, back plate and balance cock constructed of polished transparent rock crystal, gold pallet bridge, gilt damascene dial plate, gilt pillar screws, mirror finish and gilt winding wheels with mirrored steel hubs, s#16. Gross weight of assembled watch 74.4 dwt (115.7 g). Possibly the most beautiful and iconic watches in American horology, the Waltham Crystal Plate movements have red ruby jewels friction set directly into the upper plate giving the illusion of their floating in mid-air. In total it is believed that only approximately 20 to 25 examples of the 16 size crystal plate were produced. For more excellent information on this watch type we recommend the April 2003 NAWCC Bulletin article titled "Waltham's Crystal Plates," written by Gerrit A. Nijssen and Carl B. Goetz.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, upper crystal plates excellent though not quite perfect with a very short (slightly over 1mm length) hairline fracture at its perimeter from edge to the adjacent pillar screw between the winding wheels, an additional hairline visible extending through the even smaller visible space to underneath the adjacent edge of the smaller winding wheel, two very small flakes at perimeter edge of main plate (one being to underside of plate at signature area, one being at edge near immediately adjacent perimeter of larger winding wheel) and one tiny flake to perimeter edge of main plate (at edge immediately adjacent perimeter of smaller winding wheel), these upper crystal plate flaws each being quite small and having very little impact on in-hand appearance, crystal balance cock is flawless, gilt dial plate with superb color and luster, smaller winding wheels with some mild spotting which is more notable to smaller wheel; dial with edge chip at one which reaches to minute chapter between 5 and 6.5 minutes, three faint outer chapter hls between 2 and 3, edge chipping between 2 and 3 which is nearly fully under case bezel; excellent hands, some oxide and finish loss to portion of tip and moon of minute, slight bend to tail of seconds-hand; case shows light wear, ding to band near 8:30, mild soft ding to center rear; tight bow thinned a bit at top, crown shows light to medium wear; glass crystal with small fracture at bottom perimeter.
ESTIMATE:
$50000
-
$100000
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"