DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Fridlander, Chronometer Maker, lever karrusel escapement, mvt marked "Class.A.Certificate Kew Observatory Especially Good 86.5 Marks," 54mm, very heavy 18K gold original HC bearing London hallmarks for 1897, "A F" marking in cameo for Alfred Fridlander, initials to front, gold cuvette, cream colored enamel SS dial, SW-pin-set, fully capped ever escapement mounted on platform rotating once per 52.5 minutes based on Bonniksen's patent, likely 19J, gilt mvt, s#25534 with matching serial number to dial and case. Gross weight of assembled watch 99.1 dwt (154.1 g). Comes as pictured with a copy of a 1988 letter from National Physical Laboratory detailing the results of this watches 86.5 marks rating at Key Observatory during the course of its submission between October 17th, 1899 and November 30th, 1899; and comes also as pictured with a copy of "Hidden Histories Coventry Jewish Watchmakers" by Mark Johnson. The Kew results of this watch can also be found at the following link ... http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/data_service/data/yearbooks/YBpdf/YB_KEW_1899.pdf ... to Kew Observatory's 1899 year's end report where the present watch, serial 25534, is listed among the chart of "Performance of the 50 watches which obtained the highest number of marks during the year" where this particular piece is listed as eight highest rated among the items listed.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, excellent gilt tone, fine scratch to stepped portion of plate above barrel; dial with two faint to very faint hls between 11 and 12; excellent hands, small spot of oxide to minute near tip; case shows very little wear, few scratches below center of front and some typical mild fine to micro-fine scratches elsewhere to front, profuse fine to micro-fine scratches to rear, ding to upper rear in area below pendant and some additional lesser dings elsewhere to rear, ding to band at 6:30, excellent engraving detail, case front and rear open a bit short of 90 degrees (to approximately 80 degrees each); tight bow, crown shows light wear; glass crystal with scratch to upper portion.
ESTIMATE:
$7000
-
$9600
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