The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 19

American Watch Co, Waltham, Mass, "Appleton, Tracy & Co.", "Chronodrometer", Sporting Watch, No. 14797, made in 1860.Very rare and fine, silver, hunting-cased, keyless, quarter-second jumping timer with 60-minute and 12-hour registers.

USD 5,000 - 7,000

Sold: USD 5,750

C. four-body, "bassine" by "A.T. & Co.", engine-turned covers and band, front with a shield, back cover centered with floral engraving, hinged cuvette with engine-turned border and apertures for winding and setting. D. hand-painted white enamel outer Arabic seconds divisions designed for one revolution in four minutes, four-minute sunk register at 6 o'clock jumping quarter seconds, small eccentric Roman hour and minute chapter at the top functioning as registers. Blued steel, Breguet hands. M. 1size, gilt, full plate, 15 jewels, lateral lever escapement, solid gold monometallic three-arm balance, blued steel flat balance spring, engraved balance cock.Signed on the dial "American Watch Co. Waltham Mass", "Patent Feb 8 1859", movement signed.Diam. 54.9 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-14

Good

Damaged
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch was made according to a patent by John K. Bigelow of Waltham, of which only 600 or so watches were ever made. Not only is it the first ever machine-made stop watch, it is also the first attempt in American watchmaking history at manufacturing a timer, and is based on the model "1857 movement".In the patent specifications, Bigelow stated that he was aware of various European chronograph improvements. The present watch is evidence that American watch manufacturers in the late 1850's and early 1860's, similarly to their European counterparts, experimented with chronograph development, however in their own, typically American style.