#200 • Lancaster, jeweling department employee's watch, spectacular damascene

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

High bid $850.00

Status: Available

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

APW - Lancaster Watch Co, jeweling department employee's watch, "W.R. Stehman, Lancaster. PA," marked mvt, 17J, 18S, combination sterling silver and multicolor gold-filled HC recase with attractive engraving detail including birds and floral elements, "W.R. Stehman" marked white enamel DS dial, fancy gilt Louis XV style hour and minute hands, unusual gilt arrow-form seconds-hand, SW-LS, jeweled barrel arbor, ornate quilted pattern nickel, s#300009. A very impressive example of a factory employee's watch, this example is signed for William R. Stehman who was employed with Lancaster Watch Co.'s jeweling department. This movement is notable for its spectacular ornate damascene and for its raised gold jewel settings including jeweled barrel arbor, a rarity among Lancaster products. Following the closure of Lancaster Watch Co., Stehman was to move on to Waltham Watch Co., again working in the jeweling department. Please see our final photo for image of an article in the November 4th, 1893 issue of Lancaster's "The Semi-Weekly New Era" newspaper, detailing Stehman's biography following his unfortunate passing of pneumonia at the young age of 30. CONDITION: Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous plates, scattered micro-fine scratches, scattered fine pinpoint nicks, spotted oxide to regulator assembly; dial with patched small chip to inner edge of outer chapter near 2, scattered outer chapter hls; excellent hands though hour and minute of differing gilt tones case shows medium wear, scattered dings, reduced engraving detail, large portion of band worn to brass; tight bow, crown shows medium wear; good glass crystal. Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000 JH-80021