#198 • Hampden, extremely rare baseball motif 14K multicolor HC, 18S

Part of 261022 - "Fall Featured Auction" Horology, Jewelry & Coins - October 1 - 22 (timed auction by Jones & Horan Auctions)

High bid $8,100.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Oct 22, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

APW - Hampden, Gladiator, 11J, 18S, heavy 14K multicolor gold Solidarity HC recase with extraordinary baseball motif, the case rear dominated at center by scene of a yellow gold batter poised atop home plate, captured at the ready with rose gold bat in hand, set before a richly rendered field of grass and grandstands rising in the background, this evocative scene is above a pair of crossed rose gold bats and three white gold baseballs, remainder of rear is balanced by an ornate tapestry of multicolor foliate detail, decorative elements, and swirling vermicelli engraving, case front with rose gold central shield surrounded by multicolor floral detail and perimeter elements matching case rear including lower portion with crossed rose gold bats above three white gold baseballs, gold cuvette, white enamel SS dial, SW-LS, nickel damascene, mvt s#917876, case s#59114. Gross weight of assembled watch 91.0 dwt (141.5 g). An absolutely magnificent multicolor gold case, featuring an extremely rare baseball motif expressed in vivid, raised gold imagery. This is only the second example of this case design we have encountered, and quite notably, the lone other example is a virtually identical Solidarity 18 size 14K multicolor hunting case with a case serial number just two away from the present piece. Based on the case imagery and style, together with our review of other watches housed in Solidarity cases with five-digit case serial numbers, we believe these cases date within the late 1880s through the early-to-mid 1890s. Simply a spectacular piece of late 19th century Americana, and for the bidder that loves early baseball history, one worth swinging for the fences on! CONDITION: Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some mild surface toning and some scattered small dark surface spots, some scattered short fine to micro-fine scratches, mvt with a small bit of play within case despite tight case screws; visible portion of dial with few extremely faint hls within seconds-register; nearly mint hour and minute hands, excellent seconds-hand with light oxide; case shows hardly any wear, some dark toning surrounding portions of multicolor elements adds a touch of dramatic contrast to these areas, no dents or dings, superb engraving with only some reduction and bits of loss to high points of player and baseballs; tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal. Estimate: $8,000 - $14,000 JH-81155