Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Jun 18, 2008

LOT 258

Agassiz Watch Co., Swiss, ?G. C. T. (Greenwich Civil Time)?, No. 226944. Made for the U.S. Army Corps, circa 1940. Very fine, rare and unusual, keyless, antimagnetic, center seconds, stainless steel precision pocket watch with 24 hour dial and power reserve indication.

USD 1,500 - 2,500

EUR 1,000 - 1,600

Sold: USD 1,440

C. Four-body, demi-bassine, polished, inner antimagnetic cover. D. Matte silver with painted 24 hour graduation, outer minute track, sector for the power reserve indication below 12. Blued steel feuille hands. M. Cal. 19???, maillechort, 21 jewels, straight line gold lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperature, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, eccentric snail-type micrometer regulator, indirect center seconds. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 53 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-12-01

Very good

Worn

HANDS Original

Notes

G.C.T. G.C.T. watches were used for navigational purposes on military airplanes. The U.S. Army Corps typically ordered these timepieces from American watch manufacturers such as Hamilton, Elgin and Waltham. With increased demand due to World War II., Swiss companies like Agassiz and Longines also supplied similar precision timepieces. Upon delivery, watches were secured in special U.S.-made cases, fixed by 4 helical springs to insure superior shock protection during combat flight missions, plus increased antimagnetic shielding. This lot is unusual for its silver, rather than black, dial. The movement?s curved wheel train bridge is evocative of prominent American watchmaker Albert Potter?s elegant designs.
Agassiz Watch Co. S. A. Founded in 1876, the firm specialized in high-quality watches. As new calibers were designed based on regular 19''' watch movements, smaller in diameter and as slim as technically possible, the firm designed entirely new and even thinner movements: first 17'''- 24/12th, and then 20/12th, and 17/12th. Later, Agassiz merged with Touchon & Co. of Geneva, continuing to create extremely thin movements.