Front, Back, Face, Case mark, Movement, Close-up view of movement, 2nd close-up

This 23 jewel Vanguard hunter is in a nice but somewhat worn 14K gold box hinge hunting case.

It is one of the watches that was caught up in the "Jewel Wars" initiated by John C. Dueber around the turn of the 20th century. This watch started out life as a very nice 21 jewel Vanguard, but sales were falling for 21 jewel watches and a watch with the finish and adjustments of the Vanguard needed to have 23 jewels. The movements were removed from stock and upgraded to 23 jewels and the small plug seen on this movement was used to replace the 21 that was milled out to make room for it.

The serial number is 12,525,069 and the watch dates from approximately 1902 to 1905. The star wheel regulator and solid winding click help identify the watch as an earlier example.