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APW - Elgin, personal watch of Elgin Watch Co. assembling department foreman Frank M. Wills, unique highly engraved and ornamented top grade mvt with winding indicator, 64 jewel (31 jewels are functional or semi-functional, 33 jewels are entirely cosmetic), 18S, gold-filled OF display recase, cream colored enamel triple-sunk dial with all markings in royal blue, hour and minute hands with inset jewels, seconds-hand with a jewel set over its hub, fully capped lever escapement, diamond cap jeweling to balance, escapement, and train, jeweled barrel arbor with blue sapphire cap jewel, cabochon rubies set around winding wheel perimeters, cosmetic cap jeweling over plate screws and balance cock screw, several additional purely cosmetic jewels including one set within counterpoise of lever, ornately engraved and pierced gilt plates and balance cock, no visible serial number. A truly unique and mind blowing piece with a movement aesthetic that is worlds apart from anything we have ever encountered among American horology. Some of the delightfully over-the-top detail that this cataloger particularly appreciates are the transparent red ruby cabochon "windows" through the ratchet wheel, the presence of a red ruby set within the counterpoise of the lever that skips back and forth as the watch runs, and the presence of magnificent ornate engraving detail to the visible portion of the dial plate below the train wheels. Frank M. Wills (1857-1928) was foreman of Elgin Watch Co.'s assembling department, and please see our final photo for an entry listing this position that is found in the December 4th, 1908 issue of the periodical Weekly Rogue River Courier of Grant's Pass, Oregon. The present watch represents the ultimate "show off" piece for an individual in Wills' position to demonstrate the finish and artistry that his firm was capable of producing.
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good winding indicator function, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, perimeter of winding wheel with a spot of oxide in space between two of the cabochon rubies and a few small bits of oxide to teeth, one cosmetic jewel on train bridge is a replacement with brass setting; dial with outer chapter hl above winding indicator register, below seconds-register, hl to right side of winding indicator register, tiny flakes at center of winding indicator register; excellent hands, seconds-hand plum colored, other hands are blue; case shows light wear, no dents or dings, some areas of wear to brass to bezels, band, and pendant; tight bow, crown shows medium wear; good glass crystals.
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