American Watch Co. Waltham Ps Bartlett Model 1857 18s Pocket Watch 14k Ladd Case
For sale is an American Watch Co (Waltham) PS Bartlett grade, model 1857, 18 size pocket watch in 14k gold Ladd case. I’ll get to the case details at the end. A spectacular watch in spectacular condition. The watch is in good working order and keeping good time. The serial number dates it to 1872. It is keywind and comes with a key. The dial does not have any cracks, chips, or hairlines and is marked AMERICAN WATCH CO. The case diameter is approx. It comes with nice, heavy, gold filled chain, and a correct, antique, key. The key is marked N. On one side and Watch Maker & Jeweler on the reverse side. Crystal is a very old class crystal, perhaps original. Now onto the case, which I believe it mostly 14k gold. But please read and do your own research. The case is only marked G. Based on some research I did, these high grade Ladd cases are supposedly made with at least 50% gold. They were actually considered superior to most solid gold case. Ladd designs were intended to be of better appearance and strength than 100% gold. With this in mind, I can tell you what I found, and what I believe. I tested various pieces of the case. On the bezel, outer back cover, and cuvette (inner dust cover) I have moderately filed down the underside of the lip where you would insert a blade to pop it open. This was done in such a way that you would not notice it unless you popped open the covers or bezel and really examined it. I tested both electronically and touchstone acid test. Here is what I found. Outer back cover, tests as 14k gold both with electronic and touchstone acid testing, both done at the back of lip that was filed down. Cuvette (inner back cover), FAILS with electronic and touchstone acid testing, both done at the back of lip that was filed down. I believe it’s gold filled. Bezel, tests as 14k gold both with electronic and touchstone acid testing, both done at the back of lip that was filed down. Inner case (main ring shaped part of the case). And pendant area tests as 14k gold both with electronic and touchstone acid testing. However, all testing was down without heavy filing. I was not really able to test this with heavy filing without doing damage to the case. The case is absoutely BEAUTIFUL. I removed the movement and chain and weighed the case itself with crystal and it was approx. 70 grams with the crystal. Without the crystal it’s probably 65 grams. For estimation purposes, it might have 30-32 grams of 14k gold. The item “AMERICAN WATCH CO. WALTHAM PS BARTLETT MODEL 1857 18S POCKET WATCH 14K LADD CASE” is in sale since Monday, June 15, 2020. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “kimnfamily” and is located in Dover, New Jersey. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Model: P.S. Bartlett
- Case Color: Gold
- Case Material: Gold
- Pocket Watch Size: 18
- Movement: Mechanical (Key-winding)
- Type: Pocket Watch
- Dial Color: White
- Display: Analog
- Brand: Waltham
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Age Group: Adult
- Gender: Men’s
- Material: Gold
- Metal: Gold
- Year of Manufacture: 1872
- Closure: Open Face
- Serial Number: 607729