The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

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

LOT 698

Seth Thomas, Thomaston, Conn., No. 23071, circa 1886.Fine, rose gold-filled, keyless watch with an unusual dial.

USD 1,800 - 2,300

C. Three-piece, "bassine" by "Keystone" using J. Boss patent, screwed engine-turned bezel and back, back engraved with floral and foliate pattern over engine-turning, centered by a blank crest, polished band. D. White enamel with painted Roman numerals, outer minute ring with 5-minute Arabic markers, in center picture of a locomotive and a coal wagon, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Spade" hands. M. 18 size, gilt, 3/4 plate, 13 jewels, the top ones in screwed settings, straight line leverscapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, adjusted, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, index regulator, engraved balance bridge.Signed on the dial and movement.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Seth Thomas: The company was established in 1853 by Seth Thomas, a former joiner at Eli Terry, who produced wooden clock movements. In 1872, the company purchased Hotchkiss's tower and street clock business which they operated until 1942.In 1883 the company began to manufacture watches. Their watches were 0, 4, 12, 16 and 18 size, they came in many grades, and featured anywhere from 7 to 28 jewels. Their first watch movements were eleven jewels. By 1886, the factory was making about 30,000 movements per year, and by 1904 the company had sold 1,500,000 movements. In 1915, the company stopped its production which by this time had reached a total overall of 3,600,000 watches. The company is credited with making the most jeweled wath in America, which features 28 jewels.