Illinois Paillard Non-magnetic 21 Jewel 18s Hunting Case Rare Pocket Watch
18 size 21 jewel hunting case lever-set Paillard Non-Magnetic Watch Co. Very attractive high grade watch with non-magnetic alloy balance wheel and hairspring, exact production quantities are unknown but 21 jewel and higher Illinois non-magnetic watches are rare and were only made in small runs for a few years at the end of the 19th century to beginning of the 20th. Movement is a Bunn Special grade private label and is very nicely finished with gold jewel settings, bright spotted pattern nickel damaskeen, and an attractive gold colored inlay to the barrel bridge signature that is only found on the higher grades of Paillard movements. Watch is fronted by its original double-sunk enamel dial with fancy Roman numerals and is housed in a 25 year gold-filled Fahys case which appears to be likely its original. Movement serial number is 1256432 which dates this watch to about 1895. Running with a somewhat sluggish balance action and a tick that sounds a bit out of beat, but watch did keep fairly reasonable time (lost about a minute) over the last 24 hours on my desk. Beautiful movement with good color and luster, far better than most examples of this watch I’ve seen which tend to take on a cloudy whitish toning to their plates. Dial is superb with no flaws. Case is evenly worn with reduced engraving detail, mild bits of wear to brass in a few areas, a slight compression type dent at the center of the front, and the front lid opens a bit wide of 90 degrees as seen from side view in the final photo. Please check out my other items this week for more great watches and watch related items for sale. New to watch collecting? – Check out the NAWCC! The NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) is a group that has a 65 year history, a terrific online message board for collectors, and the NAWCC puts on many watch and clock shows across the United States every year. I’ve been an NAWCC member since 1991 and recommend it to every collector of watches or clocks. The item “ILLINOIS PAILLARD NON-MAGNETIC 21 JEWEL 18S HUNTING CASE RARE POCKET WATCH” is in sale since Tuesday, November 07, 2017. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Pocket Watches\Antique”. The seller is “fhwatch” and is located in Lisle, Illinois. This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Australia.