ASHLAND GRADING SYSTEM GUIDE
This grading system is property of Antiquorum, Geneva Switzerland. Antiquorum has given AshlandWatches.com express, written permission to use their grading system.
The lots described in this catalog have been carefully examined and valued by Ashland’s experts and watch makers, taking into consideration the aesthetical, historical and technical interest, age and rarity, as well as the technology available at the time of production of each timepiece.
For such judgment to be as objective as possible, it must rest on a number of criteria, particularly with regards to the age of a lot. Indeed, a wrist watch of less than 50 years old cannot be judged with the same criteria as a Renaissance watch. This is the reason why some of the gradings will only qualify for certain types of watches and will never be used for others.
For example, if, as a general rule, watches can be attributed gradings from 1 to 4 for the case, the dial and the movement, watches of less than 100 years old can be given grading 1 (as new), 3 (in very good condition), or 4 (in good condition). The latter, (grading 4), will be followed by one or more grading numbers to justify why the lot cannot be considered “in very good condition”. On the other hand, watches over 100 years old, of similar condition, would indeed be considered as “very good” because of their age and would therefore quality for grading 3. Needless to say, watches over 100 years old, even the best state of conservation for their age, are unlikely to ever be considered “as new” and would therefore never be eligible for grading 1; for this reason, we have introduced grading 2 (in perfect condition).
At the end of each lot description, before the estimate, you will find a condition report box, with letters and numbers, divided into 4 sections: these are the grades given to the lot with reference to the condition of its case ¸, it dial and hands, its movement, and its rarity level-if applicable.
To understand the grades shown in the condition report box, consult the Grading System as follows:
C for the case, followed by one or more numbers = condition of case.
D for the dial (& hands), followed by one or more numbers = condition of dial & hands.
M for the movement, followed by one or more numbers = condition of movement.
Next to this condition report box, is an experts rarity box featuring one number from 1-10 as an overall rarity grade.
See example below:
C 1 D 1 - 01 M 1 R 4
Case: as new Dial: as new - original hands Movement: as new Rarity Grade
1 : as new 2 : in perfect condition 3 : very good 4 : good 5 : fair
CASE
6
patinated 7 slightly oxidized 8 oxidized 9 slightly scratched 10 scratched 11 deeply scratched 12 a dent 13 2 dents 14 multiple dents 15 slightly worn 16 worn 17 very worn 18 repolished edges preserved 19 repolished edges altered 20 back threading damaged 21 period original 22 later original 23 period 24 later 25 custom-made 26 replacements 27 lacking elements 28 transformations 29 alterations 30 damaged 31 very damaged 32 restored by the manufacturer 33 slightly restored 34 restorations 35 worn pushpiece 36 worn pushpieces 37 replaced pushpieces 38 later original crown 39 period crown 40 to be restored 41 partially re-gilt 42 re-gilt 43 bow replaced 44 hinge worn 45 hinge restored 46 renumbered
ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION |
ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION (continued) 56 damage 57 very damaged 58 slight restoration (hard enamel 59 restored (hard enamel 60 slight restoration (soft enamel 61 restored (soft enamel 62 restored (soft enamel) 63 period original 64 later original 65 period 66 later 67 custom-made 68 to be restored 69 pearl missing 70 pearls missing 71 paste stone missing 72 paste stones missing 73 precious stone missing 74 precious stones missing 75 outer over glaze
ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION |
DIAL
METALLIC DIAL DETAILS 6 patinated 7 slightly oxidized 8 oxidized 9 slightly scratched 10 scratched 11 deeply scratched 12 a dent 13 2 dents 14 multiple dents 15 spotted 16 slightly worn 17 worn 18 very worn 19 damaged 20 refreshed 21 soft over glazed 22 slightly restored 23 restored by the manufacturer 24 restorations 25 partly rubbed 26 very well reprinted by the manufacturer 27 partially reprinted 28 very well reprinted 29 well reprinted 30 reprinted 31 luminous reprinted 32 alterations 33 period, original 34 later original 35 period 36 later 37 custom-made 38 to be restored |
ENAMEL DIAL DETAILS 39 slightly oxidized 40 slightly scratched 41 scratched 42 deeply scratched 43 hairline 44 two hairlines 45 multiple hairlines 46 chips(s) or hairline(s) under bezel, not visible when closed 47 hairline, subsidiary dial 48 hairlines, subsidiary dial 49 chipped subsidiary dial 50 hairline(s) barely visible 51 slightly worn 52 worn 53 very slightly chipped 54 chipped, winding aperture 55 chipped 56 damaged 57 slightly restored 58 restored by the manufacturer 59 restorations 60 soft overglazed 61 partly rubbed 62 alterations 63 period, original 64 later original 65 period 66 later 67 custom-made 68 to be restored |
HANDS
01
original 02 replaced by the manufacturer 03 later original 04 partially replaced 05 period 06 later 07 repaired 08 damaged 09 new luminous |
MOVEMENT
6 patinated 7 slightly oxidized 8 oxidized 9 slightly scratched 10 scratched 11 plating slightly deteriorated 12 plating deteriorated 13 rusted 14 a dent 15 dents 16 replacements 17 lacking elements 18 later escapement 19 upgraded 20 later balance 21 transformations 22 alterations 23 damaged 24 very damaged 25 restored by the manufacturer |
26 slightly restored 27 restorations 28 inscription rubbed 29 re-rhodiumed 30 re-gilt 31 period, original 32 later original 33 period 34 later 35 custom-made 36 to be overhauled 37 to be restored a. cleaned b. minor c. major d. broken staff * overhaul recommended (at buyer's expense) ** overhaul required (at buyer's expense) |
RARITY GRADE
A select group of watches in this catalog have been assigned a "rarity grade" which will appear in the description heading. The total production number of U. S. made pocket well known and accessible, unlike the large and of early horological examples. Therefore, designed to assist collectors and investors in determining the scarcity of a given timepiece in today's market (#1 is considered common to #10, which is an extremely rare item). The following factors are the basis of assigned rarity levels:
(c) Historical importance.
(d) Condition in relationship to other examples of similar type.
(e) Artistic case design, I.e. enamel, unusual shape or form pieces.
(f) Low survival rate of similar types.
(g) Investment potential for increase in demand and price.
A rarity grade will be assigned to highlight items which offer strong investment potential (generally items of level 5 thru 10).
We hope this new concept will assist you when making purchasing decisions, and we encourage you to call 1-941-957-3760 if more information or details are needed.
This grading system is property of Antiquorum, Geneva Switzerland. Antiquorum has given Ashland express, written permission to use their grading system.