Post by GLADIATOR on Apr 10, 2013 1:22:37 GMT -6
I could have named this thread - 'always expect the unexpected' or 'in horology strange things happen'
But remembering when buying property the adage 'location, location, location' I decided that in Horology its 'provenance, provenance, provenance.
But where is this leading? well a few months ago while in Switzerland, I took time (as always) to visit my mentor and horologist Mme Cinette Robert. It is always so great a pleasure to meet and talk with her and this time being no exception.
As always I started by showing her my latest acquisitions since our last meeting.
I have gathered a lot of ephemera on the beginning of the wrist watch including some original pictures from the Boer War (1899 - 1901) with officers wearing wristwatches.
I then progressed to showing her my new acquisitions of watches from WW1 - mainly American timepieces with offset crowns and Depollier cases. Once again with supporting adverts/ephemera from the likes of Depollier and Elgin.
Anyway after handling and discussing these articles and timepieces, Cinette said - "I think I have a watch like that Depollier" That surprised me a lot, because Mme Roberts collection is mainly (from what I have seen) Swiss timepieces.
Anyway, she goes out and returns with a little box which she duly opens and takes out a small piece of paper which reads:
Cinette the passed me the box - Inside was a mint condition silver Waltham Depollier cased 'KHAKI' wristwatch. - 100% original with 'KHAKI' strap and box.
Not any box, but THE ORIGINAL box to this timepiece as can be seen from both the watch serial number and the Depollier case number!
The box and Waltham movement, with serial number 20394563 - Dating it to 1915. Center, 3rd , 4th and escape wheel are gold or gold on brass
The box and Depollier silver case - marked Depollier and Son - Sterling. S/No:425820
Wow!
Here we have, a 1915 Waltham Depollier wristwatch in its original box with the 'provenance' of the US soldier who wore it in the trenches in France.
Be honest - how many so called 'Trench Watches' ever saw an 'angry German' or got within 10,000 miles of France?
Here, an original - 1915 - SILVER Waltham Depollier 'KHAKI wristwatch:
In its Original BOX:
Box with serial number and case number:
And beside my original advert that prompted Cinette's memory - NOTE the 'KHAKI' strap.
All, that PLUS the note from the original owner! Wow! We can learn - 'always expect the unexpected', 'in horology strange things happen' and 'provenance, provenance, provenance'
You decide - All I know, is this is an AMAZING find - a very early (1915) American made Waltham wristwatch, with early patented (1912) Depollier case.
Conclusion to this 'Fantastic Find' - I asked Mme Robert where she got this watch. Seems 'Dr Adolf L. Benz bought this watch about in 1980 in USA - Mme Robert purchased it from him, and its sat in Switzerland for past 33 yrs, and now its mine'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Mme Cinette Robert
Adam
But remembering when buying property the adage 'location, location, location' I decided that in Horology its 'provenance, provenance, provenance.
But where is this leading? well a few months ago while in Switzerland, I took time (as always) to visit my mentor and horologist Mme Cinette Robert. It is always so great a pleasure to meet and talk with her and this time being no exception.
As always I started by showing her my latest acquisitions since our last meeting.
I have gathered a lot of ephemera on the beginning of the wrist watch including some original pictures from the Boer War (1899 - 1901) with officers wearing wristwatches.
I then progressed to showing her my new acquisitions of watches from WW1 - mainly American timepieces with offset crowns and Depollier cases. Once again with supporting adverts/ephemera from the likes of Depollier and Elgin.
Anyway after handling and discussing these articles and timepieces, Cinette said - "I think I have a watch like that Depollier" That surprised me a lot, because Mme Roberts collection is mainly (from what I have seen) Swiss timepieces.
Anyway, she goes out and returns with a little box which she duly opens and takes out a small piece of paper which reads:
"This Waltham wrist watch was given to me while I was in training at Camp Johnson, Jacksonville, Fla. Dec 1917 to March 1918 when we were first sent to France. First one was lost or stolen from the mail; insured, they sent me a second one." (signed) EPN
Cinette the passed me the box - Inside was a mint condition silver Waltham Depollier cased 'KHAKI' wristwatch. - 100% original with 'KHAKI' strap and box.
Not any box, but THE ORIGINAL box to this timepiece as can be seen from both the watch serial number and the Depollier case number!
The box and Waltham movement, with serial number 20394563 - Dating it to 1915. Center, 3rd , 4th and escape wheel are gold or gold on brass
The box and Depollier silver case - marked Depollier and Son - Sterling. S/No:425820
Wow!
Here we have, a 1915 Waltham Depollier wristwatch in its original box with the 'provenance' of the US soldier who wore it in the trenches in France.
Be honest - how many so called 'Trench Watches' ever saw an 'angry German' or got within 10,000 miles of France?
Here, an original - 1915 - SILVER Waltham Depollier 'KHAKI wristwatch:
In its Original BOX:
Box with serial number and case number:
And beside my original advert that prompted Cinette's memory - NOTE the 'KHAKI' strap.
All, that PLUS the note from the original owner! Wow! We can learn - 'always expect the unexpected', 'in horology strange things happen' and 'provenance, provenance, provenance'
You decide - All I know, is this is an AMAZING find - a very early (1915) American made Waltham wristwatch, with early patented (1912) Depollier case.
Conclusion to this 'Fantastic Find' - I asked Mme Robert where she got this watch. Seems 'Dr Adolf L. Benz bought this watch about in 1980 in USA - Mme Robert purchased it from him, and its sat in Switzerland for past 33 yrs, and now its mine'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Mme Cinette Robert
Adam