Post updated with more watches, please see bottom of this post
I know the fact that I have a sales thread will shock many of you, but a likely upcoming rather significant lifestyle change means that watches are going to be taking a back seat - more on that if and when it happens, this is a sales thread. If I'm going to move pieces I need to start somewhere, and this is it, I know this is a limited market, I also know that this is a community of watch lovers and this is a very special watch.
This is a highly unusual American Waltham model 1861 pocket watch, the serial number on this one dates it to 1870. It’s a size 10, which is one of the less common sizes – too small for most men’s pocket watches of the time and too large for most ladies’ watches. Size 10 equates to approximately 38mm – the entire case is around 45mm, excluding the crown and bow.
We all know about my photography skills, but hopefully you can see that this watch is in incredible condition – the dial is made of porcelain and is in perfect condition – there are a couple of pieces of dirt underneath the replacement crystal – the only non original part of the watch, but the dial is faultless – even under a high magnification loupe. It’s a little yellowed, but I think that’s excusable on something this old! The movement is pristine, and the case has only the normal swirls that you would expect on the flat surfaces.
The movement is the highest grade available for this model and size combination – Appleton Tracy (movements often came in different grade and jewel combinations and the grades often carried names – as in this instance). The movement was available in 7, 11 and 15 jewel versions – no indication of which one this is, and I haven't had it serviced to remove the plates to do a count. It’s a key wind and key set movement – typical of these older ones. There’s no way to know for sure if the key is original, but it appears to be period correct.
But this piece, and it's value is really about the case. Technically, it’s a box hinge hunter case (although for the pocket watch purists it can’t be called a true box case as the crown side of the case doesn’t match the hinge side) with a cuvette (dust cover) inside the rear case. A hunter is simply a watch that has a cover over the dial, the box hinge refers to the fact that the hinge extends beyond the curve of the case. As you can see the case still fits together perfectly, and opens to 90 degrees just like it should (they often open more as the hinges wear).
Most hunter cases are roughly cylindrical – the thickness of the case at the edge is approximately the same as the thickness in the middle. As you can see this case becomes very thin at the edge in a style known as clam shell for obvious reasons. This is achieved by extending the case further beyond the edge of the dial / movement to allow for the tapering.
The case is original and is truly perfect – there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The level of detail is breathtaking – I wish my photography skills would allow me to show you just how special this case is. The front of the case has a small cartouche at the bottom designed for the owner’s initials, but these have never been engraved – adding to the value. The case including cuvette is solid 18k gold.
I am asking US$3,000 and I want US$ because of the circumstances of my anticipated lifestyle change. For that reason I will not accept PayPal because PayPal Canada requires me to convert to C$ to withdraw and I don't want to convert US$ to C$ only to convert back. I am happy to take drafts / certified cheques (watch will ship when cleared) or wire transfer. Face to face cash transaction is also possible in the Toronto area or potentially in some US cities if my speaking tour this year coincides.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Update May 15th
OK, so here's the deal. Approximately two weeks from now I will begin to send all of my modern watches for service. When they return from service they will be put up for sale for prices that reflect the fact that they have been serviced and come with a service warranty. If anyone wants to buy the pieces at 'pre-service prices' then now is the opportunity. I am away from the watches for the next week or so and so I cannot provide up to date photos at this time but most have photos on the site. I assume my reputation here is acceptable for potential buyers and am happy to put pieces on hold pending current photos.
Any that do not sell in the next two weeks will be withdrawn and sent for service and these prices will not be lowered. All prices are in US$ based on wire transfer or certified cheque. I will consider personal cheque for known members but will not ship until cleared. As noted above PayPal doesn't work for me because I need US$ and can only get C$ out of Canadian PayPal.
All prices include international insured shipping.
Breitling Navitimer 01 LE - the original black dial on bracelet - $5,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... timer%2001. This piece should be considered as requiring service, rotor winding has just failed, it's an easy fix as part of a service, but don't plan to delay servicing on this piece
Zenith Chronomaster XXT Open Grande Date silver on black croc deployant - $5,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... ary/Zenith
Breitling for Bentley Mark VI Complications 19, blue dial on bracelet - $5,500. Subject to potential sale to a current member who has already expressed an interest
Breitling Lemania Cosmonaute Display Back - black dial on black croc deployant - SOLD - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... Cosmonaute. This piece should be considered as requiring service as it is running approximately 30 seconds fast per day.
Gerald Genta Gefica Safari Bi-Retro (Bronze & Titanium) on croc deploy - $5,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... rary/Genta. This piece should be considered as requiring service - the second hand fell off last week(!) - no, it wasn't knocked.
Edox Geoscope - $2,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... brary/EDOX. This piece is currently non functional due to a broken crown stem (hence the price) and requires service.
Breitling Avenger Skyland Blacksteel - the original one on custom hippo tang (you read that right) - $3,500 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... Blacksteel
Romain Jerome Titanic T-Oxy III Extreme Rusted Chronograph (no B&P) on rubber deploy - SOLD
Franc Vila FVa15 Meteorite Dial on rubber deploy - $5,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... anc%20Vila
Omega PloProf 1200m black dial on mesh bracelet with additional orange rubber strap - $5,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... ry/Ploprof
Breitling Cockpit black dial on bracelet - $2,250 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... ry/Cockpit
Breitling Bentley Le Mans - bronze dial on bracelet - $5,500. This piece should be considered as requiring service as it intermittently stops (this is first piece scheduled to go for service when I get back from current trip)
Breitling Montbrillant Legende Havana dial two tone on two tone bracelet - $4,500. This piece should be considered as requiring service - it occasionally slips when manual winding.
Louis Moinet Twintech (LE of 60) White Dial on croc deploy - $4,000 - http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Roffen ... s%20Moinet. Subject to potential sale to a current member who has already expressed an interest
Additional pieces may be coming later.....
To repeat, prices on these pieces will not be lowered, everyone can see they are more than fair.
, but lifestyle change or not, I'm still incredibly surprised that this would be the first one to go. 
