Important Watches Wristwatches, and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 02, 2000

LOT 93

American Watch Co., Waltham, Mass. No. 250437, circa 1870.Very fine and rare 18K gold hunting cased watch, presented by Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877), President of America, to Capt. J. Petterson for the rescue of the crew of the AM. BARK PLEIADES - 1870.

CHF 14,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 18,400

C. Four-body, massive, ?bassine et filets?, engine-turned with reeded band, the cover centred with a black champlevé enamelled scene depicting a life rescue at sea, the back with the emblem of the United States of America, the dedication engraved inside the cover. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel ?spade? hands. M. 20???, frosted and gilt, three-quarter plate, 18 jewels in screwed settings, Foggs safety pinions, patented on February 14, 1865, straight lne lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring, the micrometric adjustment operated by means of the index via a cam.Signed on the dial and back plate.Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 4 - 14
Movement: * 4 - 5
Dial: 4-10-11-01

Fair

Patinated

Slightly worn

HANDS Original

Notes

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885)Ulysses S. Grant, served as President of the United States from 1869-1877; he was the country?s 18th President.Born on April 27, 1822 in Ohio, Grant went on to attend West Point where he graduated in the middle of his class. During the Mexican War, Grant fought under General Zachary Taylor, and at the outbreak of the Civil War, he was appointed by the Governor to command an unruly volunteer regiment.During the Civil War, Grant sought to win control of the Mississippi Valley; in February of 1862 he took Fort Henry and attacked Fort Donelson. When The Confederates surrendered, President Lincoln promoted Grant to major general of volunteers. At Shiloh, Grant fought one of the bloodiest battles in the West. He then fought to win Vicksburg, thereby cutting the Confederacy in two. Not long after, he broke the Confederate hold on Chattanooga.In 1864, President Lincoln appointed Grant as General-in-Chief. Grant directed Sherman to drive through the South while he and the Army of the Potomac, pinned down General Robert E. Lee?s Army of Northern Virginia. On April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, General Lee surrendered.As President, Grant presided over the Government much in the same way as he had run the Army. In fact, he did bring part of his Army staff to the White House.After retiring from the Presidency in 1877, Grant then became a partner in a financial firm, which unfortunately went bankrupt. About that same time, Grant was diagnosed with throat cancer. In an effort to pay off his debts and to provide for his family after his death (1885), he began writing his memoir, which earned close to $450,000.