Description |
APW - Hamilton, Grade 950, 23J, 16S, heavy 14K gold OF original Hamilton case with rear engraving detail of the Motor Transport Corps logo of a winged infantry helmet in front of a wheel, flush hinges, gold cuvette with signature ring and bearing presentation engraving of "To Lt. Col. Edward Orton Jr. D.S.M. from his associates in the Mortor (sic) Transport Corps in remembrance of his sterling personal qualities and unselfish cooperation during the Worlds War 1917-1919," white enamel DS dial, SW-SS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, striped pattern nickel damascene, s#1152106. Gross weight of assembled watch 59.4 dwt (92.4 g). An excellent top-grade piece with interesting military associated provenance. The Motor Transport Corps was formed August 15th, 1918 and was responsible for essentially all tasks relating to the procurement, operation, and maintenance of military motor vehicles which were defined as automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles. Edward Orton, Jr. was an interesting character who was involved with the Motor Transport Corps in its early history but per Wikipedia was also notable as an "academic administrator, businessman, ceramic engineer, geologist, and philanthropist." The Wikipedia page regarding Edward Orton, Jr. can be viewed at this link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Orton_Jr. - and a more detailed biography can be found at this link - https://kb.osu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/19dc2d5d-c87d-5904-8b89-f51288fec57a/content
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some toning of plate surfaces, few mild small surface spots and few scattered short fine to micro-fine scratches, some scattered very small bits of oxide to steelwork; dial with small edge chip under bezel at 9, small hl under bezel at 10, pinpoint surface nick to upper perimeter of center section; excellent hour hand and seconds-hand, poor minute hand is missing its tip and has a mild bend near its mid-point; case shows little wear, scattered dents to band causing flat spots with the largest and most notable of these at 4, ding to lower shoulder of rear, good engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows medium wear; glass crystal with scattered scratches and nicks.
|