Vintage clocks, watches at Fontaine's Auct'n, May 30-31 Over 1,000 lots of vintage antique clocks and watches -- many of them exceedingly rare and highly collectible timepieces -- will be sold in a two-day, four-session auction May 30-31 at Fontaine's.
News-Antique.com - May 11,2009 - (PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – Over 1,000 lots of vintage antique clocks and watches – many of them exceedingly rare and highly collectible timepieces – will be sold at a two-day, four-session sale planned for May 30-31 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. The centerpiece lot promises to be a rare and fine E. Howard Model #61 floor standing astronomical regulator, the third such clock to be sold by Fontaine’s.
The first one, a magnificent example, soared to $195,500 at a Spring Clock Auction held in June of last year. The second one, offered at Fontaine’s Fall Clock Auction in November, was a superior example that brought $189,750. “The one we’re selling May 30th is the best of the three, without question,” said John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. “I’m very curious to see what it sells for.”
The weekend will kick off with Session I, on Saturday, May 30, beginning promptly at 11 a.m. Over 275 lots of catalogued clocks will be presented, among them the E. Howard #61, boasting a four-jar mercury pendulum. But other E. Howards will be offered, too. These include an extremely rare Model 70 wall clock with 20-inch dial; a massive Model 87 floor-standing clock with jeweled pallets, four-jar mercury pendulum and time-only brass movement; and #1 and #5 banjo clocks.
Also featured will be a hard-to-find Chelsea ship's clock with a 10-inch dial and rare, patinated Verde brass case with brass dial; a fantastic French Industrial mantle clock; an Elmer O. Stennes presentation Girandole banjo clock; an Elmer O. Stennes lyre clock; an Elmer O. Stennes weight-driven Massachusetts shelf clock; Seth Thomas weight-driven regulators; and an Umbria #7 regulator clock.
Session II, which will begin around 3 p.m. that day, will be an uncataloged Discovery Auction. Over 400 clocks, comprising about 250 lots, will cross the block. “Bidders must be present to preview and bid in this session,” Mr. Fontaine pointed out, “as the clocks are uncataloged and being sold as-is.” He added, “Absentee and phone bids will be accepted in this session if you have previewed the lots.”
Session III – to be held Sunday, May 31, at 11 a.m. -- will feature over 250 lots of fine cataloged wristwatches and pocket watches. Included in the group will be a very rare Rolex Model Ref. 4500 two-tone chronograph; a Rolex Tank wristwatch made for Bucherer; a very nice Waltham five-minute repeater pocket watch; and an interesting Dudley Masonic Masons pocket watch with special movement.
Session IV, to be held that day, starting around 2 p.m., will be another Discovery Auction, this one dedicated to pocket watches and wristwatches, over 400 of them. Many will be sold in multiple item lots and large groups. And like in the clock Discovery Auction, bidders must be present to preview and bid, as the watches are cataloged and will be sold as-is. Absentee and phone bids will also be accepted.
Returning to clocks to be offered in Session I, other expected top lots include Sonora chime clocks; English boxed chronometers;
