Mappin solid gold vintage watch - c1919

Description

This is a fantastic find - a simply excellent example of an early wristwatch, dating back to 1919 and featuring a large 36mm case - rare for a watch of this early era. The watch was retailed by Mappin, the famous jewellers who later became Mappin & Webb, and is in as near to mint all original condition as you will find for a watch of this age. It features a very high quality, heavy three piece 9ct gold case with screw back and front. The case was made by Dennison, the famous English casemakers and is the best I have seen from this era, heavy in the hand and in virtual mint condition, with no significant wear whatsoever. Please note that any black areas in the photos are camera shadow. Also, the case is a lovely rich gold colour, which hasn't come across in some of the photos. The watch also features a gorgeous original crown, a stunning crisp enamel dial - no chips, cracks or marks - and a quality Swiss 15 jewel movement, in excellent working order. The watch comes complete with a leather strap and quality watch box.

My asking price is below value for a watch that will only in value. Such is the high quality of the watch, I will include a six month written guarantee on the movement, which is long enough for you to assess the running order. I also include a professional insurance valuation, in excess of my asking price. Also, I offer a full refund if you are not entirely happy, as long as the watch is returned within seven days if UK customer, fourteen days if overseas, in the same condition. Please feel free to arrange to view the watch in central London.

The heavy solid 9ct gold case is in excellent, near mint condition, with no significant wear. It is much more golden in colour than photographed. As mentioned, it is very heavy in the hand and made of three pieces, with a screw back and front. It is simply excellent quality. The camera shadow makes it look as though there is a gap between the case back and middle section, when in fact the different parts of the case are flush with each other with perfect edges. The case measures 36mm wide, excluding the gorgeous original crown x 41mm long, including the heavy solid gold fixed bar lugs. The back and front screw closed smoothly and perfectly and the inside is signed ‘Dennison Watch Case Co’, ‘ALD’ and reference ‘174905’. The case also carries Birmingham hallmarks for solid 9ct gold, dating to 1919.

The original un-restored enamel dial is in near mint condition, with no cracks, chips or marks - amazing for an un-restored enamel dial of this age. It is signed ‘Mappin' and has the sought-after red 12. The original blued steel hands are also in near mint condition, as is the lens.

The hand wound 15 jewel Swiss movement is in good excellent clean condition. It is signed ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘15 Jewels’. The movement has just been oiled by a professional watchmaker and is in perfect working order.

This beautiful watch comes complete with a new leather tapering strap. You might want to look out for a parallel strap for the watch. The watch comes complete with a new, quality watch box for safekeeping.

A special vintage watch; full of charm and history. Will provide an excellent financial investment as well as a possession to enjoy.