DESCRIPTION:
American Waltham Watch Co, Waltham, Mass., contract watch for the "American Agriculturist" pocket watch, 18 size, 11 jewels, key wind and set, gilt plate movement marked "Made by the American Watch Co. American Agriculturist", with lever escapement and cut bimetallic balance in a silveroid, hinged back and bezel open face case, Roman numeral, single sunk white enamel dial, blued steel spade hands, serial #477915, c1870, with later chain and two keys.
CONDITION:
CASE: Not original to movement; Dings and pin pricks; Scratches on outer surface of case; Fine scratches on inner surface of case; Covers with gaps at band when closed; Cuvette aggressively buffed; Crystal with scratches. DIAL: A few tiny edge flaws, concealed by bezel; Sunken portion of seconds bit replaced. HANDS: Replaced minute and seconds. MOVEMENT PLATES: Scratches and marks on plate; Screws reblued; Regulator and balance stud polished, slight rounding to flats; Gilding renewed. MOVEMENT FUNCTION: Running order (winds, sets and ticks). These watches were offered as premiums by the American Agriculturist Magazine. Page 395 of the October, 1871 issue contains a paragraph extolling the virtues of products, and concludes in part by stating "we offer a jeweled watch, with chronometer balance, warranted by this Company as made of the best materials in the best manner, and in pure coin silver "hunting" case; weight 3oz. This watch we offer as one of our premiums, with the fullest confidence. Upon the movement of each of these watches will be engraved, "Am. Agriculturist made by the Am. Watch Co., Waltham, Mass." A lady's model was also available, full jeweled, and in 18 karat gold hunting cases, and with the same markings as the men's watch. These and other items were available to individuals in return for recruitment of a certain number of new subscribers.
ESTIMATE:
$150
-
$250
PRICE SOLD:
$225
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