The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 173

Ball & Co. Cleveland, "Official B of LF Standard", No. 42309 by Hamilton, circa 1896.Fine, gold-filled, keyless Railroad Grade watch.

C. three-body, "bassine" by Fahys, screwed bezel and back, the latter engine-turned with a cartouche in the center. D. white enamel, bold Arabic markers, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Spade" hands. M. 18 size, nickel, full plate, damascened, 17 jewels, the top ones in gold settings, adjusted, straight line lever escapement with sapphire pallets, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometric regulator, saety pinion.Signed on the dial and movement. Dial also signed "Trademark Standard B of L F" and "Ball's Standard Dial Pat. Apld. For". Movement engraved "B of L F", "Patented Nov.17.96", "Pat. Aug.18'96". Diam. 55 mm.