A 1 de Maio de 2022, a Jones & Horan Horological Specialists, de Goffstown, New Hampshire, especializada em relojoaria, levava à praça um relógio de bolso Waltham, com calibre Crystal Plate (platina e raquete de cristal de rocha).
Este exemplar ficou conhecido da comunidade de
colecionadores no final dos anos 1990, quando foi detectado no inventário de um
joalheiro de Lisboa, não identificado. Desde logo chamou a atenção dos
especialistas, sendo mesmo capa da revista de Outubro de 1999 da
norte-americana National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc.
(NAWCC). Apenas entre 20 a 25 exemplares do Waltham Crystal Plate foram
produzidos. Foi arrematado por 100 mil dólares.
Sobre relógios de bolso Waltham, já aqui fizemos referência a outra peça muito curiosa, também om ligações Portugal.
Da ficha:
DATE SOLD: 2022-05-01
LOT#:
220501-88
DESCRIPTION:
APW - Waltham, Crystal Plate, serial #12, Model
1872 with free-sprung balance, 16-17J, 16S, 18K gold (tested) OF original
display case with threaded bezels, s#1773 marked to case band and both bezels,
white enamel DS dial with Arabic numerals in radial orientation and with
distinctive Old English "A.W.Co." signature, SW-LS, free-sprung
balance, back plate and balance cock constructed of polished transparent rock
crystal, gold pallet bridge, gilt damascene dial plate, gilt pillar screws,
frosted and damascened winding wheels, s#12. Gross weight of assembled watch
68.4 dwt (106.4 g). One of the most beautiful and iconic watches in American
horology, the Waltham Crystal Plate movements have red ruby jewels friction set
directly into the upper plate giving the illusion of their floating in mid-air.
This particular example is especially notable as it is believed to be the only
known 16 size open face Crystal Plate that is equipped with a free-sprung
balance; and this watch is also a strikingly beautiful example with its superb
condition throughout, its unusual and elegant top grade dial, and its gold
skeleton style case with an ideal simplicity of design that serves to present
the piece without distraction. This example became known to the collecting
community in the late 1990s when it was discovered among a jeweller’s inventory
in Lisbon, Portugal, and soon after this watch was featured on the cover of the
October, 1999 NAWCC Bulletin. In total it is believed that only approximately
20 to 25 examples of the 16 size Crystal Plate were produced, and for more
excellent information on this watch type we recommend the April 2003 NAWCC
Bulletin article titled "Waltham's Crystal Plates" that was written
by Gerrit A. Nijssen and Carl B. Goetz.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, upper crystal plate
with a small flake and tiny adjacent scratch at perimeter edge outside the
crown wheel, crystal balance cock with a tiny pinpoint flake at one edge of its
hairspring stud protrusion, upper crystal plate and crystal balance cock
otherwise flawless, gilt dial plate with superb color and luster, winding
wheels with some tiny specks of mild oxide; flawless dial; virtually mint
hands; case shows hardly any wear, nick to band near 2, no dents; tight bow,
crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystals.
PRICE SOLD:
$100,000
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário