WALTHAM 18S 21J 14K MULTICOLOR BOX HINGE w/ALASKAN GOLD MINING PRESENTATION in Dunbarton, New Hampshire

$5,600

14K Multicolor w/Alaskan PresentationWaltham Watch Co. 18 size 21 jewel hunting case lever-set Crescent St. pocket watch with spectacular heavy 14K multicolor gold box hinge hunting case.  An absolutely spectacular watch that is made even much more interesting by an Alaskan gold mining presentation within its case.  Case is engraved with a beautiful bucks image to its rear, with a rose gold shield to its front that is engraved with initials ("E.T.S" I believe) and surrounded by floral detail and a horseshoe, and its cuvette is engraved ..."Presented to Mark L. Tatum 1907By the boys of the Mexican Mine"The history behind this presentation is of Mark Lindsey Tatom, who was born in Oregon in 1866 and later moved to Alaska where in 1901 he became Forman of the "Mexican Mine" which was a part of the Treadwell gold mining complex on Douglas Island near Juneau, Alaska.  At this time the Treadwell gold mine was the largest hard rock gold mine in the world, and over three million ounces of gold were extracted at Treadwell between 1881 and 1922.  In my final two photos I have included images of entries in the September 4th, 1907 and September 11th, 1907 editions of the "Douglas Island News" newspaper that announce the news of Tatom's retirement and also of the presentation of this "handsome gold watch."  These articles, and more describing the biography of Tatom that I have listed above, can be found with an online subscription to a popular historic newspaper database. The case of this watch was made by Roy Case Company and features beautiful engraving detail.  Movement is a Model 1892 with gold jewel settings, gold balance screws, attractive nickel damaskeen, and is fronted by a double-sunk enamel dial with Roman hour numerals.  Movement serial number is 7818528.  Weight of complete watch is 97.9 dwt (or 152.2 grams).Running and a very nice looking movement overall with excellent color and luster and some typical mild surface marks and spots.  Dial is beautiful with just a short extremely faint hairline above its seconds-register.  Case is beautiful with a spectacular in hand look and presence having superb engraving detail and color but case does have a few minor issues to note ... the inner case bezel is likely a replacement as its fit is fairly loose with a bit of excess play, the front hinge pin is protruding a bit at one side, there is a ding and some abrasions to portions of the band's lower boxed hinge, and the case front closes with a small sliver of gap to the band and will occasionally slip back open if not given a small bit of squeeze when closing and there appears to be a gold soldered past repair of some metal loss at its latch position inside the lid.  Though these flaws need to be noted and considered they are realistically pretty minor though and have little in hand effect relative to the overall beauty of the case.  Glass crystal is good.Please check out my other items this week for more great watches and watch related items for sale.  Thanks for looking and good luck bidding!!! Shipping info - Shipment within the United States will be $100.  International shipment will be via eBay's Global Shipping Program and with rate as determined by this service.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.