Swiss American Imitation Grade George Washington
Serial #20338
"Michael Edidin provided pictures some time ago of an English made Model 57 fake signed George Washington, New York, in an English case hallmarked London, circa 1855 by James Walker, Coventry. It has a side-lever escapement with a ratchet pointed-end tooth escape wheel. Shown here #20338, click for larger view. If the copier actually modeled a Waltham, it had to be a very early Waltham which explains the escapement. In particular, note the absent winding guard cup. It also has the standard M57 train. These two factors date the imitation to 1855 DH&D around #1500, according to the DH&D data tables in "Origins". The imitation is quite good; the size of the plates and dial are identical to Waltham; plus, same style index, regulator, balance and balance bridge. Edidin found a November 1855 BWCo ad cautioning the reader to look for the genuine DH&D signature. So, the company knew fakes existed as early as 1855. Edidin also has an August 9, 1856, NY news article reprint of a Boston Post paper about the history of the Waltham factory that refers to faked imports including the George Washington watch."
New York
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