(SOLD) INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO. IWC 18K Open Face 50mm Jones Calibre Pattern ‘S’ 15-16j Pink Gold Original Case

Description

REMARKS: SOLD, PLEASE INQUIRE FOR FUTURE ORDER.

Rare Antique International Watch Co (IWC) ‘Jones Calibre’ Open Face Pocket Watch in 18K Solid Gold Original Case Circa 1870s.  This IWC pocket watch comes from the earliest dates for this world-famous watch brand in the times of its founder F.A. Jones and thus carries his namesake.  F.A. Jones founded IWC in 1868 and left the company in 1876 having manufactured around 26,000 movements.  Due to the market condition in the 1870s many completed movements were not cased into completed watches.  Therefore the numbers of pocket watches completed and housed into cases are much fewer and even fewer were cased into 18K solid gold cases.  Unfortunately throughout the years many of these solid gold IWC Jones Calibre Pocket Watches were melted down leaving only a very small number of complete specimen.  This particular example here is one of the few remaining IWC Jones Calibre Pocket Watch still in its original 18K solid gold case.  IWC Jones Calibre movement is highly ‘American’ in design since F.A. Jones was an American who primarily gained watch manufacturing experience in E. Howard Boston.  The Jones Calibre is characterized by American style ¾ plate layout, “Jones’ Arrow” elongated fine regulator and Demascening type of engine-turned engravings.  This particular IWC Jones Calibre Pocket Watch uses a ‘S’ pattern movement which is stem wind and pendant set which is actually technologically advanced for its age.

CONDITION REPORT: Condition-wise the watch winds and runs well but we cannot make any guarantee on function as it is over 150 years old and we have not had it serviced.  It looks like it will be a strong runner with regular service to get it running superbly.  Any maintenance or upkeeping is the sole responsibility of the end user.  Cosmetically it is in great shape for its age.  The original enamel dial DOES NOT HAVE hairlines or chips.  The 18K pink gold case is heavy and robust and it DOES NOT HAVE dings or dents.  Total weight is 119.5g.  Even the original exhibition inner bezel is still present.  For IWC as one of the best watch brands in the world to still see this pocket watch from the earliest foundations of the brand makes it a true antique heirloom collectible.  Diameter is 50mm.