The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 2

J. W. Tucker & Co., San Francisco, California, No. 10579, circa 1850.Fine, rare and large, 18K gold, hunting-cased watch with stop feature, accompanied by a gold open link chain, inset with natural gold in agate quartz.

USD 4,000 - 7,000

Sold: USD 4,255

C. three-body, "bassine et filets", engine-turned covers and band, fixed cuvette with aperture for winding, stop lever protruding from under the bezel at 5 o'clock. D. white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel hands. M. 47.4 mm, gilt, full plate, fusee and chain, lateral English lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, blued steel flat balance spring, engraved balance cock, gilt dust cup.Signed on the dial, case and movement. Case numbered 767 and punched with an 18K stamp depicting a bear over the number "18".Diam. 61.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Tucker, a San Francisco jeweler, retailed many interesting watches, possibly in his own cases, and in 1875 patented four horological trademarks. His name can also be found on Edward Howard cases.The present watch was uncovered in the 1970's between the walls of a house in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Its excellent condition seems to indicate that it was safely hidden there for many years.