The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue @ 45th Street, Dec 04, 2002

LOT 559

Hamilton Watch Co., Lancaster, Pa, No. 35586, Grade 931, made in 1898.Fine and unusual, 14K multicolored gold, hunting-cased, keyless watch with an unusual dial.

USD 8,500 - 10,000

C. Four-body, "bassine" with scalloped edge, by "Elgin Giant Watch Case Co.", No. 71856, box-hinged, back cover decorated with ap-plied green, red, and yellow gold floral rosette, hinged gold cuvette. D. white enamel with painted Arabic numerals in light rose-colored cartouches, gold paillon half-hour markers, outer minute track, center with gold paillon decoration, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Crescent" hands. M. 18 size, nickel, full plate, elaborately damascened, 19 jewels, the top oes in screwed settings, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with screws, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, Hamilton micrometric regulator, safety pinion, lever-set.Signed on dial, case and movement.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Case manufacturing and their decoration was large business in America. The casemakers organized theit own union.Watch Case International Association of America organized and adopted Jan 29, 1900, Philadelphia, amended Oct 1906 Canton, Ohio. Its constitution stated among others: "...let us pride ourselves in elevating it to its proper standard as an art, demand the proper time for the execution of same and increase the conjuneticy thereof ..."