The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue @ 45th Street, Dec 04, 2002

LOT 723

Ball & Co. Cleveland, Ohio, Order of Railway Conductors, No. 307412 by E. Howard, Series VIII, circa 1893.Very fine and exceptionally rare, 18K gold screw back and bezel, Brotherhood Railroad watch.

USD 16,000 - 18,000

C. Three-piece "bassine", screw back and bezel, polished, by E.H. & Co., No. 795703. D. White enamel, bold Arabic numerals, outer minute track, sunk sub-seconds. Blued steel Ball patented "Pierced" hands. M. N size, nickel, 3/4 plate, damascened in a circular pattern, 17 jewels, the top ones in gold settings, adjusted, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometric regulator, pendant set.Signed on dial and movement, case signed by E.H. & Co., dial and movement also signed by "O of RC".Diam. 54.9 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 12 - 01

Notes

This is a very scarce watch of which Howard made approximately 200 examples and listed them as "Grade 9, Special", the highest grade. The present example is also housed in a very rare 18K solid gold screw back and bezel "E.H. & Co." case.The hands of the present example were both designed and patented by Ball on August 15, 1893 (US Patent No. 22703).Adding to its rarity is the Railroad Brotherhood signature on both the dial and movement.O of RCThe Order of Railway Conductors (O of RC) was founded in 1868 by T.J. "Tommie" Wright in Amboy, Illinois. The organization was later opened to brakemen as well. As with all Railroad Brotherhood organizations, it provided insurance for its members. Today, 90% of all U.S. conductors are members, totaling over 49,000 people.For the patent, see at the back of the catalogue.