Contemporary, Limited Edition and Mod...

New York, Park Lane Hotel, Dec 15, 1998

LOT 202

J. Aitchison, Watchmaker by Special Appointment to H.I.M. the Emperor of Austria and H.I.M. the Emperor of Brazil, 23 Princes Street, Edinburgh, No. 3285, with London hallmarks for 1876. Fine 18K gold and enamel hunting cased watch with 24 hour power reserve indicator.

USD 3,000 - 3,500

C. Four body massive, "pomme et filets " polished, by John Martin (Master Mark), the cover enamelled with the monogram `"J. S. ", the back with a crest and the motto: Avito Viret Honore (He flourishes by ancestral honours) . Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds and Up-and-Down scale. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 18 "' gilt brass half plate, fusee with chain and maintaining power, English pointed tooth lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, free sprung blued-steel balance spring with terminal curve, diamond end-stone. Signed on the dial and back plate. Diam. 53 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Keyless watches were produced in England as early as 1820 by John Roger Arnold using the Patent No. 4501 obtained by Thomas Prest, the foreman of his workshop. Howerer, keyless watches were not popular in England until the end of the 19th century, Englishmen being very conservative. Therefore, several keyless watches produced in England before 1880 were matte in such a way, they could also be wound by means of a key, so as not to upset the user's habits.