Dec 26 2016
Antique 1884 American Waltham 14s Pocket Watch 12k 14k SOLID GOLD Hunter Case
Posted by in antique
Antique 1884 American Waltham Watch Co. Solid Gold Case – At Least 12k Gold. TOTAL WEIGHT: 101.2 GRAMS. Movement Serial #: 2337334. This is a very interesting and rare watch. From all the research I have done, I have found that this incredible hunter case is solid gold. The old “AWCO” hallmark is listed as standing for solid gold in a watch book by Cooksey Shugart. The “K 20″ is just a case serial number. I have reached out to experts and was informed this was likely a make by the great Ezra Fitch, the general manager and president of Waltham, who patented his unique “Dust Proof Case” in 1879 (it can not be confirmed that it is in fact one of his makings as it doesn’t have a patent number on it, but it is the same design). Waltham made a series of cases that were gold filled, but the base metal was also a lower karat gold , and Ezra Fitch had a patent on the process. The lower grade gold and the higher grade gold had their thickness adjusted so that the assay of the case would be whatever it was marked… But they did not mark all cases. The 14k cases made this way have a 12k inside and a 18k gold outside, and the claim was that the higher grade gold on the surface gave a richer appearance. The unmarked cases with the AWCO hallmark are interpreted to be the sign for the lowest karat case in the sequence, which I have been told is likely around 12k gold. I did a simple and safe gold scratch test to the outside just to see what the outer karat would be, and it was testing around 14k solid gold. The case is in excellent condition with no dings, dents, or major scratches. As for the watch movement itself, it is currently running great and in excellent condition. The only condition issue I see is the very small cracks in the dial. Please take a very close look at the picture. The serial number of the watch isn’t incredibly rare, but the case is what makes it great. This watch also came with the original solid gold watch chain, but unfortunately I don’t have it anymore. Definitely a quality watch for any collection. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask, thanks! The item “Antique 1884 American Waltham 14s Pocket Watch 12k 14k SOLID GOLD Hunter Case” is in sale since Saturday, December 24, 2016. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Pocket Watches\Antique”. The seller is “erictipton” and is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Year of Manufacture: 1880-1889
- Material: Solid Gold
- Brand: Waltham
- Closure: Full Hunter
- Pocket Watch Size: 14
- Serial Number: 2337334