German gold open faced keyless lever pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold lever watch by Gläser & Sohn, Glashütte
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A 14k gold German open faced keyless lever watch, circa 1900. The watch features a 2nd quality, gilded three-quarter plate movement, gold lever, bimetallic compensation balance, and precision regulation. It is signed and numbered by Glashütter Ankeruhrenfabrik, R. Glaeser & Sohn, Glashütte, 8915. The dial is white enamel with Roman numerals and an outer minute ring, blued steel hands, and subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock, signed by Glashütter Anker-Uhrenfabrik, R. Glaeser & Sohn, Glashütte SA. The engine-turned gold case has a handset button to the band with a gold olivette, a gold stem and bow, and a plain polished gold cuvette. The case and cuvette are both numbered 8915 and have hallmarks for 14k gold, as well as the case maker’s mark AL.
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Diameter 52.5 mm
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Signed: Glaeser & Sohn, Glashütte
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The dial is in good condition, with scuffs throughout the case and wear to the edge of the engine turning. The movement is running.
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August K. Richard Gläser (1856–1928) was a pocket watchmaker based in Glashütte. He learned the trade from his father, who was also a skilled watchmaker. After completing his apprenticeship under Adolf Lange, the founder of the Watchindustrie in Glashuette, Richard established his own company, Deutsche Ankeruhrenfabrik, and produced a significant number of high-quality watches from 1885 to 1920.
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Despite initial success, the company’s production was interrupted by the First World War and later faced challenges due to the increasing industrialization of pocket watch manufacturing. This ultimately led to the company’s folding in 1920.