$5,175
An American FlagNon Magnetic Watch Co. , Chicago, Ill, movement by Illinois Watch Co., Springfield, Ill., No. 142667, circa 1895.Fine and rare, 20-year yellow gold-filled, hunting-cased, keyless, non-magnetic watch with Paillard patent. Four-body, "bassine" with wickerwork engine turning, hinged cuvette. White enamel, bold Arabic numerals, center painted with American flag, outer minute track, sunk sub-seconds. Blued steel "Breguet" hands. 18 size, nickel, full plate elaborately damas-cened in a wavy pattern, 17 jewels in flush settings, lateral coun-terpoised lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, micrometric screw regu-lator, safety pinion, lever-set.Signed on dial and movement.Diam. 54 mm. Notes See also Front cover.In 1876, Charles-Auguste Paillard, began experimenting with gold alloys for hairsprings. After, his uncle sent him to Brazil to service chronometers, he began to experiment with palladium. One of the main problems he faced was that of rusty springs. Palladium is rust-proof, non-magnetic and reduces acceleration. In 1886, Paillard was granted British patent (No. 6367) for his palladium (actually palladium/copper) balance spring. Soon they became popular, and were, as reported by The Swiss Horologcal Journal, copied from the very beginning.Non-Magnetic Watch Co. (1886-1895)In 1885 Paillard's springs came to the attention of Charles W. Ward, who made arrangements to obtain the rights for the Paillar Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-12-04
