The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

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

LOT 670

The 21-Jewel ConvertibleElgin National Watch Co., No. 942078, 2nd Model, Grade 91, "Convertible", made in 1881.Very fine and rare, 18K gold, hunting-cased, keyless presentation watch.

USD 7,500 - 10,000

Sold: USD 8,050

C. Four-body, "drum", box hinged, No. 14946, engine-turned bezels, vermicelli band, gold hinged cuvette over glazed gold bezel for viewing the movement. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute ring with 5-minute red Arabic markers, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Breguet" hands. M. 18 size, nickel, 3/4 split plate with mocked bridges, damascened with wavy lines and rosettes, cock engraved with flowers, 21 jewels, the top ones in screwed raised gold settings, gold wheel train, staight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, adjusted, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, Moseley & Hunter micrometric regulator, convertible winding and setting mechanism, lever-set.Signed on dial and movement.Diam. 50 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

This almost mint-condition watch represents Elgin's highest grade. In 1879, Elgin designed and launched its so-called "convertible" movement, which was made to fit in both a hunting-case and an open-face watch. These models with 21 jewels became Elgin's highest grades. This almost mint-condition,18K gold, box-hinged case, with a friction fit dial is especially rare, particularly since these watches were almost never made in 18K gold cases.The cuvette bears the inscription "Presented to Police Commissioner Peter M. Doty by His Friends, 1885". It was certainly a very expensive present.