20 size American Watch Co

[Luca]

I'm a very lucky guy.

Yesterday I picked up a box lot at auction that had an American Watch Co 20 size movement in it. I have never seen one of these before but it looks much like a 16KW on steroids.

The dial is in mint condition and the movement is complete and only needs re-staffing. What I find interesting is the way this watch is jeweled. It has 19 jewels and jeweled as you might expect to the center wheel but I'm surprised to see that the escape wheel is capped rather than pallet. Could someone who is familiar with these or with this practice tell me the rationale? I guess it must be that there is more friction or movement with the escape wheel?

This is not a movement with the vibrating hairspring or with maltese cross stopworks but I know it's still a scarce movement. One I'll hold onto for a long while.

[Fred Hansen]

Congrats on a great find!

Tom McIntyre has a photo of his early 20 size American grade online and it is jeweled in the same way ...

http://awco.org/AWCo/American/20Size/index.htm

... and Tom also writes that this capped escape wheel is the way that the 19 jewel version of the Nashua Watch Co. signed movements are jeweled.

Fred

p.s. If you have a chance to take a photo of this one I'd definitely enjoy seeing it.

[Luca]

Fred,
I'll post a pic tonight. I had taken movement apart to see what all it needed done and to see jeweling. In addition to needing a staff it is missing a plate screw. I have a parts 1860 kw with screw so hopefully it's the same size for each mvt. Anyway, pics later.

Luca

[Tom McIntyre]

Actually the 19J Nashua production is cap jeweled on both the pallet and escape wheel but not in the center. After they started producing them in Waltham they jeweled the center and left off the pallet cap jewels.

The other distinguishing characteristic is the crescent portion of the center winding cup. It only appears on Nashua production.

Luca, I think you will notice that the 20 size and 16 size are nearly identical except for the plate diameter and the size of the balance.

Comment on trains

[Luca]

Here are quick and dirty shots - sorry about poor quality. I'm having it re-staffed, etc. Missing a jewel screw on bal. cock and min. hand. Second hand needs straightening.

Luca

http://www.lucadicecco.com/watch/20s2.jpg

http://www.lucadicecco.com/watch/20s.jpg

[Tom McIntyre]

Nice watch! These later examples have the Fogg's center pinion rather than Stratton's patent and are jewelled in the center with the cap on the escape wheel. The 3 line dial is especially nice.

[Luca]

Thanks Tom. It's a lucky thing the dial is in good shape considering it was floating around with about 20 other movements in a box. Wish I had the kind with vibrating stud and/or Stratton's patent. But beggars can't be choosers! :thumb:

[Kugler77]

Hello Luca,
that is a real beauty:clap:
I would be more than happy to own one of these.
Now you are just in the need of a case...

Peter

[Luca]

Yes a case. I probably will never find one but I have no problem with just collecting movements. What I might try to find one day is a case as holder just to protect it.

[Fred Hansen]

Thanks for posting the photos Luca and looks great ... I especially like the dial with the 3 line signature and the factory name in script!

Fred

[Louis Christina]

Luca,
I think you have a terrific 20 size and I believe it might be just as rare as the others you noted. It has a great looking dial and the condition of the movement is fantastic considering how it has been stored.
I have limited knowledge about 20 size American grade Walthams, mainly because so few are seen for sale and many of the existing examples are deep into collections. But I do try to keep track of these movements and I have only seen one other complete movement, the one I have, although I'm sure that there are more around.
I wouldn't be too worried about it not being one of the others you noted, it's very nice indeed.
Best wishes and congratulations.
Louis Christina
spelling correction

[Luca]

Thanks for the nice comments Louis. I am thrilled to have it -- don't get me wrong on that. Like you I am surprised it's in decent shape (especially the dial). Perhaps the box lot was put together by the seller and prior to that the watch led a protected life. Even this late into the game and with the advent of the internet, great finds are still out there!

Luca