#109 • Aurora, Grade 10, marked "15 Ruby Jewels," rare

Part of 260205 - "Every Second Counts" Watches, Jewelry & Coins - January 29 - February 5 (timed auction by Jones & Horan Auctions)

High bid $750.00

Status: Sold

APW - Aurora, Grade 10, 15J marked as "15 Ruby Jewels," 18S, false box hinge HC recase, white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, two-tone checkerboard and snowflake pattern gilt and nickel damascene, s#100083. The Grade 10 was Aurora's finest quality movement and is rare, with the total production of this hunting case version estimated at 420 made per Greg Frauenhoff's excellent NAWCC Encyclopedia website article. CONDITION: Mvt: Running, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, two-tone with good color contrast, nickel portion of balance cock with hazy toning, scratch between upper case screw and further banking pin, scattered fine to micro-fine scratches elsewhere, banking pin heads with some marring, balance jewel setting screw heads are raised slightly above plane of surrounding surface; dial with scattered hls and small surface flakes, few fractures, seconds-register appears to have been re-secured with glue or paste with small bits evident at its seat; fine hands with areas of oxide, hour with small bends; case shows medium wear, scattered dings to front, rear, and cuvette, reduced engraving detail with some areas of full loss at shoulders, front and rear leaving some gap to band when closed, boxed portion of band with small filed notch to one side of lower portion presumably from a past gold testing, can front needing some assistance through the initial portion of its opening range before proceeding unassisted; tight bow thinned at top, crown shows medium wear; glass crystal with glue excess at its seat. Estimate: $600 - $1,000 JH-76975