$10,063
Waltham Watch Co. , Waltham, Mass., No. 17000106, "Premier Maximus", Model 1908, circa 1912.Extremely fine, 18K gold, 16 size, keyless, 23-jewel watch with a 24-hour winding indicator and an unusual dial. Four-body triple-hinged "bassine", polished, Jürgensen lips, gold cuvette. Notes This is the highest Waltham grade ever. This example features very rare gilt silver dial, while the most others have enamel ones.Between 1900 and 1910, towards the end of the most prosperous period in American watchmaking, companies began experimenting with extravagant models. Waltham was among the first to experiment. In 1908 they launched the Premier Maximus, which sold for $250. Not long after, the price tag had reached $500, an impressive amount for an American watch at the time.The original price tag of the present example was $300 as listed in the Contract Notice.The present watch is from Waltham's first series of 200 pieces. It is based on the 1908 model, while the later examples were based on model 99. A similar but later watch, can be found in the Collection of the National Time Museum of Chicago, formerly The Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois, inv. No. 239.This watch embodies the following features of excellence:23 diamond, Fine Ruby and Sapphire Jewels; 3 pair Diamond Caps, raised Gold Settings; Balance, Pallet and Escape Pivots running on Diamonds; Jeweled Mainwheel Bearings; Red Gold Caps on Pallet, Escape and 4th Bridges; Accurately Adjusted to Temperature, Isochro-nism and
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-12-04
