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RARE Large SAN FRANCISCO Pocket Watch 18K CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH CASE 1860s

Estimated price for orientation: 8 250 $

Category: Antique
Class:











Description
Year of Manufacture: 1860-1869 Movement: gilt plates up down wind indicator
Material: 18K yellow gold Model: California Gold Rush Souvenir
Brand: Hollingside London Pocket Watch Size: 57mm
Closure: Full Hunter Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Escapement Type: lever fusee UPC: Does not apply


This is truly a rare timepiece. It is a man’s keywnid hunter cased watch, and measures 57mm in diameter. It weighs a total of 169.5 grams.. A massive watch with lots of gold! The case has engine turned lids, and is stamped on both lids “JOSEPH BROTHERS, CALIFORNIA GOLD”. It is also stamped with an 18K gold mark featuring a bear. The inner back lid is engraved with a June 1863 San Francisco inscription. The porcelain dial is excellent, with one faint, light hairline. The dial is signed “CHAS. HOLLINGSIDE, LONDON, 10041” and “ADJUSTED IN HEAT & COLD” .The indicator dial at the top functions correctly as the watch winds up and down. Blued steel hands. the movement is gilt, fusee chain driven, jeweled, and with a compensated balance wheel. It is signed “Charles Hollinside, LONDON, 10041”. Movement is excellent, and has no signs of abuse. It runs strong, but has not been cleaned or serviced in years. It has a lever escapement. Key included. I researched JOSEPH BROTHERS, and they were located on Montgomery St. in San Francisco. They are listed as “Watchmakers, jewelers, opticians, and general importers”. They are best known as a minter of private gold coins in the 1850’s. When the US caught ‘gold fever’, Joseph Brothers began making some jewelry out of ‘California Gold’, along with several other jewelers. I have never seen a watch case marked this way. The English movement is proper and original to this watch case, as Joseph Brothers were originally from Liverpool, and practiced their trade there until smitten with Gold Fever. They remained importers when in San Francisco. I feel this is an historically important watch.  Buyer pays shipping, $25 in USA.