Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Oct 04, 2009

LOT 346

For Thomas F. Oakes ? Lange Watch for the American Market A. Lange & Söhne, Glashutte B/Dresden, No. 13543. Made with special dial for railroad executive Thomas Fletcher Oakes (1843-1919), sold to Charles William Schumann, New York, on March 27, 1880. Very fine and unique, 18K pink gold, half-open faced, keyless pocket watch with 1st quality movement, special dial and Lange Guillaume balance. Accompanied by a Lange & Shöne Certificate and biography of Thomas Oakes.

C. Four-body, "American", solid, polished, the back cover with an applied monogram ?TFO?. Hinged gold cuvette engraved ?T.F. Oakes, From His Friends, Len. T. Smith, C. H. Prescott, G. J. Field, B. P. M. Donald, New York, July 1st 1880?. D. White enamel with letters spelling the name ?THOMASFOAKES? in place of numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel spade hands. M. 18''', Glashütte 3/4-plate, nickel plated, jewelled to the center, gold chatons with blued steel screws, straight-line Glashütte lever escapement, gold pallet fork and escape wheel, banking with a pin and hole, Lange Guillaume-type balance with gold timing screws, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, the terminal stud adjustable by a screw, diamond endstone, index regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered. Diam. 51 mm.