I was offered an 18s, 17J Seth Thomas Model 5 Maiden Lane watch, but when I looked up this model, the book listed this as being in NI, nickel. The watch that I was looking at had beautiful damascening, buit it is a gilt movement. Would this change the valuation of the watch? I would like to buy this watch, but need feedback on whether it is correct.

Hey Ken,
None of the books that I have list a gilt model Maiden Lane. It would not be the first time I have heard of a model that is not listed,but be careful that someone didn't add the Maiden Lane script at a later date.

The Maiden Lanes were all high jeweled watches, and a 17 Jewel watch is NOT right. The "Maiden Lane" inscription is on the Barrel Bridge, making it very easy to change from a parts movement to one of the more ornate lower Jewelled Seth Thomas watches. Below are some pics I assembled from IHC185 archives to demonstrate that point. KEN, The very ornate damaskeening patterns on each of the watches pictured match on all the plates. I would bet money that the '17J Maiden Lane' you are shown has non-matching damaskeening on the barrel cover.

Ken,
The book I have lists all the Maiden Lane models as having a double roller. In the great pictures that David A posted you could see the recess under the balance wheel on the Maiden Lane which identifies the double roller feature. Yesterday John G posted a watch to identify and it was a private label model 5. I jokingly posted, "too bad it isn't a Maiden Lane." After I read about the Maidem Lane some more I realized the watches look very different because of the recess under the balance wheel. The Illistration in the price book shows a Maiden Lane without a double roller so I'm not sure if the illistation is incorrect or the listings but it's something to consider.
RR

Thanks for the response on this. The watch was the Model 5, but not marked Maiden Lane. Close, but no cigar.