December 21, 2008, 16:18
Robert SchusselRarest Watches Known with Consecutive Serial Numbers ?
Below are various pictures of two Hampden 15 jewel Grade 327s with consecutive serial numbers.
The Grade 327 may prove to be the only 12 size Hampden grade that has a Tu tone movement.
I had to pay $225 for the watch on the right 092 which was the most I ever paid for a Hampden in a Goldfilled case. The watch on the left 091 came in a beatup Duber case which I replaced with a similar Dueber case--paid $125 for it.
At the moment these are the only known grade 327--thus my claim of the rarest pair known.
I have one more pair to show once I dig thru my pile . I hope others will dig theirs out to show
Bob
PS I think the hands on the left are more likely to be original.
December 21, 2008, 16:19
Robert SchusselMovement 091
Taken with a Macro lens 1:1 ratio of image.
December 31, 2008, 19:57
Robert SchusselAs promised I am posting my other set of consecutive numbered watches.
The watches are 12 size 21j Illinois Grade 438--the so called extra thin model.Very little is known about them and around 1,200 serial numbers were reserved for this grade.
Lindell sold me one of the watches when he discovered I owned a 438 one serial number away from his. This watch is currently with Chris Abell
as an amateur watchmaker at some point put an incorrect gear in the setting mechanism.
The 438 is very unusual as it came in a stainless steel case.Whether it was recased has been debated--however in the 1920's a stainless steel case would have valued in much the way titanium cases are today--hip and unusual
movement 477December 31, 2008, 20:04
Robert Schussel Dial for mvt 476Until I photographed the dial and blew up the picture I did not realise it is a SWISS made dial--see below the seconds bit--its very hard to see without a magnifying lens.
December 31, 2008, 20:08
Robert Schussel Case for mvt 476The watch is factory cased-- marked Aristocrat on the outside of the dust cover. Most Aristocrat cases I have seen are marked Aristocrat on the inside of the cover in small font.
Hope everyone has a good New YearBob