Ok everyone was so great in helping with info on my 992E and also helped me with getting attention to it I thought I would try another I have had laying around. Several have asked me about it and here it is. Any info on it would help me in the description.I know it is not original case but I gave up trying to find one to suit it. I have a nice case but contains a fishscale bunn and I need it in original case to help it. Anyways I decided to let it go as is. I rather know info on it and state it in the auction than to misrepresent something so whether good info or bad let me know Thanks
That is the definition of a "rare" and "high grade" to many Illinois collectors! According to Bill Meggers published information in the "Illinois Encyclopedia" your number 2474995 is a 16-size, Lever-Set, Open-Face, 23-Jewel, Model 9, Grade 710 from 1912 production.
On page 141 of his notes Meggers explains he only knew of 12 examples back in 1985 and at that time he placed a $3,500.00 value on it. Today, who knows what it might bring!
Wow that is always good to hear. Just think where else can you get so much great help and info for what little it costs to belong here. Thanks again! I think I will try to get some better pics before listing it. The movement actually shines nice but I did not show it in the picture.
We are coming to the point that on higher value watches images proving complete authenticity of components may soon be a requirement. The more solid information the better!
And the higher the price will go!
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Charles it was hard to send back it sure is a pretty thing. I offered a 1000.00 dollars for it can,t understand why he would not let me have it for that price.
I could have told him it got lost in the mail like the marked 60 hour Sangamo did.
All joking aside this is a nice watch with all matching #,s and a hard to find Illinois, good luck with your auction Rob.
Something we should point out is the fact that although Rob's DRS is similar in appearance to the Sangamo Special he also shared in this topic there are several differences that are worth recognizing. Samie Smith worked on both watches and can explain how different the finish and jewels are, but another subtle difference is the bridging.
On the left in the comparison you see below, a "false bridge" and on the right the "true bridge" ultra-high-grade Diamond Ruby & Sapphire movement featured in Rob's auction. Look at the circled areas, they indicate connected (false on left) or separated (true on right) bridging. The "false bridge" movement has the center bridge and the barrel bridge combined, on the "true bridge" they are separate which is a big distinction in quality watches.
Close comparison shows important differences in quality...
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Yes these are a true bridge and have a beautiful finish on all the parts these do as the name suggest have Diamond Ruby and Sapphire jewels these even have faceted diamond endstone under the dial. These also have a different style dial than most 16 size Illinois watches in the same time frame.
IHC Vice President Pitfalls Moderator IHC Life Member
posted
UPDATE: The current bid level is $2700, but I'm sure that's just a warm-up for the final showdown.
This has turned out to be a very interesting & informative topic, owing largely to all the time & effort Lin put into his posts. I found the part about the difference between a true and false bridge movement particularly valuable. That's something I had seen mentioned before, but didn't fully grasp until now.
It's also nice to read a customer-focussed to-the-point auction like Rob's, which simply provides the relevant facts. It gives clear pictures that show exactly what a buyer needs to see and a no-nonsense description that describes the strong points and flaws of the watch and his terms of sale in a straightforward way.
This auction is blessedly free of the voluminous pages of irrelevant details, often called "smoke and mirrors" that encumber so many eBay auctions these days.
Best Regards,
Ed
Posts: 6696 | Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: April 19, 2004
Thanks for the Kind words I try to be to the point in the descriptions. I know how it is to buy and I have been disappointed many times so I try to give everyone a good Ebay experience. I know some Ebayers like all the stories behind a watch but the truth is I buy and sell them as is no history that I know of and it is exactly as I buy them unless I have Samie service them. I know enough about the mechanics of a watch to try and determine problems for the buyers so they will not be surprised upon receiving. Thanks to everyone here for there support and unselfish help. You all are Great!!!
I am a little surprised to see it still at $2,700.00 with just six hours to go. That's a good indicator the high rollers are sitting and waiting. How high will it jump at the end?
Consider the fact Bill Meggers wrote that he had only seen twelve of these and he valued them in the $3,000.00 to $3,500.00 range 22 years ago.
And it's reasonable to think in that time they have probably doubled in value, so when the dust settles at the end of this auction the selling price may very well be... Something in the $6,000.00 to $7,000.00 range.
That's my thinking, but what do you say?
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Good question Jerry! Essentially any case available at time of original sale would be appropriate for this one. Some collectors choose to show off a movement such as this in a marked as Illinois Display case. Only ten minutes to go!
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Well I did not make it back in time to watch the ending but I must say I am happy with the outcome. Looks like I had several try to snipe it at the end.
I just got off the phone from talking with the winner of your watch.
The winner is Richard Bates, one of our newest members (IHC Member 983) but he has not yet registered on our site. Richard first learned about your auction right here in this topic and has been carefully reading all the posts. He asked me to thank everyone for their comments and opinions, but most of all he asked me to thank you Rob for making this great watch available. At this point Richard plans to put the beautiful movement, hands and dial in a solid-gold case.
You have raised the value bar for all of us, its like if somebody in my neighborhood bought their house at 100 grand more than anybody paid last year. I think you just raised our aggregate Chapter 185 collections value by several million bucks!
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
I think I will try to get some better pics before listing it. The movement actually shines nice but I did not show it in the picture.
a lot of us are watching.
