Speaking of Aurora Watches

[Greg Frauenhoff]

There really are still rare watches out there waiting to be discovered. Although 6s mvts are about at the bottom of the popularity scale among collectors today, there are some interesting pieces to keep an eye for (witness the Lancaster 6 or 8s mvt that turned up on ebay some months ago). Here's an interesting and genuinely rare 6s Aurora.
http://members.aol.com/gfrauen/a37.jpg

It's one of the first ten 6s Aurora mvts made. These first 10 were all gilt with 15 jewels. The factory records indicate that they were known as grade 37 and only 10 pieces were made in this grade. Local newspaper accounts called them "experimental". Today, we'd probably call them prototypes. Of the 10, one went to the Company President, one or two to the Co. Vice-President and the rest to Trask & Plain of Aurora.

Other rare 6s Auroras worth finding are the 14 jewel two-tone mvts.

When found, mvts like this are usually not very expensive. Keep looking, treasures abound to those who care to educate themselves.

Happy New Year,

Greg

[Greg Frauenhoff]

There really are still rare watches out there waiting to be discovered. Although 6s mvts are about at the bottom of the popularity scale among collectors today, there are some interesting pieces to keep an eye for (witness the Lancaster 6 or 8s mvt that turned up on ebay some months ago). Here's an interesting and genuinely rare 6s Aurora.
http://members.aol.com/gfrauen/a37.jpg

It's one of the first ten 6s Aurora mvts made. These first 10 were all gilt with 15 jewels. The factory records indicate that they were known as grade 37 and only 10 pieces were made in this grade. Local newspaper accounts called them "experimental". Today, we'd probably call them prototypes. Of the 10, one went to the Company President, one or two to the Co. Vice-President and the rest to Trask & Plain of Aurora.

Other rare 6s Auroras worth finding are the 14 jewel two-tone mvts.

When found, mvts like this are usually not very expensive. Keep looking, treasures abound to those who care to educate themselves.

Happy New Year,

Greg

[Julian Smith]

Greg,
What kind of escapement does this watch have?
I think I see a pallet stone between the balance staff and the center wheel.What gives?
J Smith

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Wayne,

Yes, it's 15 jewel. The other 15 jewel 6s Aurora grade (no. 38) is a nickel plate version that was advertised as having "Ruby Jewels", but they are not so marked on the plates. The 14 jewel 6s mvts (known in both nickel and two-tone) are "missing" the lower hole jwl for the 4th pinion (as I recall). Aurora also made 11 jewel and 13 jewel 6s mvts, in both nickel and gilt finish.

Julian,

The escapement is a regular lever type.

Greg

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Auroras other "Ruby Jewel" mvts are the 18 size grades 9 and 10. Unlike the 6 size grade 38 which was advertised as having "Ruby Jewels" but were not so marked on the mvt, grades 9 and 10 are marked "15 Ruby Jewels" (on the barrel bridge). One interesting feature of them is that the open face versions actually have 17 jewels (jeweled 5th pinion). If you like high grade and extremely rare watches, keep an eye out for the gilt grade 9s. Imagine finding a gilt equivalent of the Illinois grade 105 (no such beast exists, to my knowledge) and you'll get an idea of what you've found.

Will try to post a pic soon.

Greg