November Exceptional Estates Auction
Lot 95:
Description
Rare early 20th-century Longines Rattrapante chronograph, housing the firm’s celebrated split-seconds movement, one of the most complex and precise mechanical calibers of its era. This watch is also has historical significance in the harness racing world (see Provenance below). Made in 1911 (serial 2555853), this watch shows Longines’s mastery of fine chronograph engineering at a level rivaling contemporary works by Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. The split-seconds (or “rattrapante”) mechanism allows the timing of multiple events simultaneously and was favored for scientific, sporting and aviation use. Movements of this grade were produced in very limited numbers and are highly sought after for their technical sophistication. Cased in 950 sterling silver, with 5 Grand Prix awards inner lid. Case measures about 51mm diameter. Dial is signed in script Cyrillic. Provenance: Pocket watch is inscribed inside rear lid “Frank H. Ellis to Gage Banks Ellis, October 24, 1914.” Frank Ellis of Philadelphia was a principal of the Pastime Stable, owners of the famed trotter Lee Axworthy, the first stallion to trot a mile in under two minutes. Foaled in 1911, Lee Axworthy descended from Guy Axworthy, foundation sire of the modern Standardbred. Lee Axworthy’s influence was so enduring that he was later inducted into the Harness Racing Museum Hall of Fame. The inscription marks the watch’s original 1914 presentation from grandfather to grandson. After Lee Axworthy’s world-record stallion performance at North Randall, Ohio, on August 22, 1916 (2:00-1/4), the case back lid was later engraved to commemorate that event. Here’s where the story takes a massively dark turn: Less than two months after Lee Axworthy ran the record-breaking run, Frank Ellis’s son, William H. Ellis, fatally shot his wife Augusta Willoughby Ellis and himself, leaving nine-year-old Gage Banks Ellis, the watch’s recipient, an orphan. The watch thus connects one of harness racing’s greatest achievements with a deeply tragic family story. This item can be shipped in-house. Multiple lot combined shipping may require 3rd Party shipping.
Condition
See images. Watch runs for a second or two when shaken gently, but it does not run. Porcelain dial has no cracks, but there are tiny nicks at the outer edge of the face at the 15 and 45 positions, just outside the markers. Some rubbing in the upper right quadrant of top dial.
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