American hunting cased keyless presentation watch Circa 1907

Gold presentation watch by American Watch Co., Waltham
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An American gold hunting cased keyless lever watch, presented by the President of the United States to honour a sea rescue performed by a British vessel, circa 1907. This Riverside model dates back to 1899. This watch features a size 16 movement with nickel decorative engraving and lever escapement. It contains 23 jewels, a bimetallic compensation balance, and swanneck regulation. The movement is signed and numbered A.W.W. Co. in Waltham, Massachusetts, and is further identified as Riverside, numbered 16071035. The white enamel dial displays black Arabic numerals along with outer red five minute divisions, and it is adorned with blued steel hands. The dial signed Waltham.
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The watch is housed in a 14 carat gold hunting case. The front of the case is engraved with an American Eagle, while the cuvette bears a commemorative inscription that reads: From the President of the United States to E. Maycock, Master of the British Steamship Defender, in recognition of his humane services in the effective rescue at sea on December 18, 1926, of certain members of the crew of the shipwrecked United States Coast Guard Cutter Lincoln. The case and cuvette are numbered 409718, with the cuvette also signed by Dubois W.C. Co.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: Waltham
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The case is in excellent condition, free of dents, with only minor surface scratches. The dial is well preserved, and the movement is running smoothly and appears clean.
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In the mid-19th century, the President of the United States began awarding commemorative watches to foreign captains who selflessly rescued U.S. citizens at sea. These watches typically featured a depiction of a sea rescue on the front and the Seal of the President of the United States on the back. The current series of watches, however, includes only the Presidential Seal.
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On December 18, 1926, the U.S. Coast Guard schooner Lincoln caught fire off the coast of North Carolina. High winds intensified the blaze, forcing the crew to abandon the sinking ship. The British steamer Defender, commanded by Master E. Maycock, encountered the wreckage amid a rising gale. Despite the extreme conditions, they dispatched a lifeboat to the site but found that the survivors had already left the ship. Undeterred, Maycock sent out a second lifeboat and successfully rescued two crew members. Another crew member was saved by a different crew the following day, but sadly, five Lincoln crew members were declared lost at sea. In recognition of their bravery, President Calvin Coolidge awarded the entire crew of the Defender the Presidential Gold Lifesaving Medal and presented Captain Master E. Maycock with the commemorative watch.
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The American Waltham Watch Company (also known as the Waltham Watch Co. or American Watch Co.) was founded in 1850 and played a significant role in watchmaking history. Its innovative approach to producing standardised and interchangeable watch components revolutionised the industry. Renamed multiple times, from American Horology Company and Boston Watch Co. to Appleton Tracy & Co. and finally to American Waltham Watch Co., the company continued to thrive despite facing challenges such as bankruptcy and the American Civil War.
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The introduction of the 1897 pocket watch model and the company’s role as a major supplier of railway chronometers further solidified its reputation for precision and quality. Winning accolades at international exhibitions and contributing to the progression of watchmaking, the company left a lasting impact on the global industry.
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The legacy of the American Waltham Watch Company lives on, with its influence reaching not only across North America but also extending to 52 other countries worldwide.