E. E. & A. Bourquin 18K Solid Gold 56mm 156g Hunter - Historical Significance
Item History & Price
This is a very special and unique timepiece with a bit of New York City nostalgia and history to it, in very good condition.
The history relates to New York City, The City’s restaurant industry in late 1800’s, Masonry and Masonic Lodge, New York Athletic Club, and even a visit to the White House and President Harding by the original owner.
Maker: E. E. & A. Bourquin
Metal: 18K Gold
Type: Hunter
Dimensions: 56mm diameter
&...nbsp; 77mm including crown
15mm thickness
Total Weight: 156 grams or 5 troy ounces
Engraved Monogram: JR
Design: Early American Flags, likely custom commissioned for owner
Engraved Inscription: “John Reisenweber from his Mother and Wife October 7th 1884”
Serial Number: 24253 (the serial # is present in 5 different components as outlined below)
Est. Year of Manufacture: c. 1880
Many gold pocket watches from the 19th century are triple signed. This one is quintuple signed.
Engravings and Markings:
Inside Cover:
“B. Brs”
“Warranted”
“18k”
24253
Face:
“ E. & E. A. Bourquin”
(handpainted American Flags on seconds dial)
Back Cover:
“B. Brs”
“Warranted”
“18k”
24253
Outside Dust Cover:
“No. 24253”
“E. & E. A. Bourquin”
“BIENNE”
Inside Dust Cover:
“John Reisenweber
from his Mother and Wife
October 7th 1884”
“18k”
24253
Within the works:
“24253”
“E. & E. A. Bourquin”
“BIENNE”
“Patented Nov 30th 1869”
Cornucopia stamp, with the words ‘TRADE MARK’ and “B. Brs” within it
Also present on the inside of the cover are what appears to be possible watchmaker repair codes, seen in the pictures. These would have been done over its history before my ownership.
The watch could use a little cleaning, otherwise appears to be in very good working condition. It winds smoothly and strong, keeps time correctly, the front cover springs open sharply to 90 degrees when released, the back cover and dust cover shut tightly and securely, and the crown is secure and tight.
Year of manufactured is estimated as c. 1880-1883 because the watch was gifted in 1884 and E. E. & A. Bourquin Brothers last know year of operation in New York City was 1883, based on my research.
Aside from the historical New York provenance, the watch is unusually large and heavy. Clearly it was a very special and expensive gift from his Mother and Wife.
I have had estimates of between 50 and 60% of the total weight pertains to the gold content, with 50% being the more likely gold weight, although the only way to be sure would be to remove the workings. At 50% gold content, 78 gram or about 2.5 troy ounces would be 18k gold. I think it would be fair to say that gold content is between 2 and 2.5 ounces. This is not a guarantee, just the result of my discussions with local jewelers and antique gold watch traders.
All engravings are clear and sharp.
The crystal is free of scratches.
The movement is clear and bright and the sound is very appealing.
The watch’s size and weight in the hand is magnificent.
Gifted in 1884, this Hunter Pocket Watch is over 135 years old and has been superbly cared for given its condition in 2019.
I would be happy to share a video of the watch running on request.
About John Reinseweber (October 7, 1851 Brooklyn, NYC - August 9, 1931 Woodmere, NYC)“Restaurateur. He expanded his father's modest 1856 tavern at the southwest corner of 8th Avenue and 58th Street in New York City into a nationally known establishment having 12 dining rooms and over 1, 000 employees. According to his New York Times obituary, Reisenweber's restaurant is credited as the birthplace of the modern cabaret, and, after 1901, the development of the floor show with stars, choruses and stage sets. Among the headliners were Gracie Fields, Sophie Tucker, and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. It was the first restaurant with a dance floor for patrons. In 1913, it became the birthplace of the cover charge, when the floor show became so spectacular that a way to cover the extra expenses had to be found. The first cover charge was a quarter. Initially attacked, the charge became a distinction and was soon adopted by other establishments. Prohibition ended Reisenweber's heyday. The two old buildings stood at the location of the original tavern near Columbus Circle until their demolition in the 1980s” (Credit: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25658969/john-reisenweber)
From John Reisenweber’s Obituary:
“Funeral services will be held at his late residence at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, Aug. 11. Interment will be in the REISENWEBER family vault at Greenwood Cemetery on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Mr. REISENWEBER was probably the oldest and best restaurateur in this country. He represented the fast-vanishing school of restaurant men which included such names as RECTOR, MARTIN, MOUQUIN, HEALY, MURRAY, SHANLEY, and CAVANAUGH. At an early age, John REISENWEBER assumed the management of the restaurant bearing his name, which his father established in 1856 at Columbus Circule, in what was then known as Bloomingdale road. At the time the establishment was surrounded by miles of farm land, and the patronage consisted of tourists who drove up in mail coaches. With the advent of the bicycle craze the house grew and Mr. REISENWEBER was obliged to install additional facilities for the growing trade. REISENWEBER's in time began to attract patronage from all parts of the city, and its fame grew until it was a by-word for the better type of dining. In 1901 he placed his son-in-law, Louis FISCHER, in charge of the management, and together they laid the foundation of what was destined to become one of the greatest dining institutions in the world. REISENWEBER's was the first to initiate dancing for its patrons and was instrumental in introducing the modern cabaret. They also installed the modern "cover charge" in 1913, when the fee for witnessing their elaborate entertainment specialties was twenty-five cents, an exorbitant sum at that time. The establishment grew in size until it occupied a half block front on Eighth avenue and extended for hundreds of feet along Fifty-eighth street. It housed a dozen dining rooms, employed more than 1, 000 in help and seated 5, 000 diners at one time. With the advent of prohibition, REISENWEBER's liquidated its business and ceased to exist. In the late eighties, REISENWEBER became the Republican leader of the Nineteenth Assembly District, which at that time extended from Fifty-second street to the northernmost end of Manhattan Island. He became a power in the political life of New York although he never held public office. His political opponent in the same district was John F. CURRY, now head of Tammany Hall. In 1921 he and Mrs. REISENWEBER celebrated their fiftieth anniversary and were received at the White House by President Harding. Mrs. REISENWEBER died three years ago.
John REISENWEBER was one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity. He had been a member of Charity Lodge, No. 727, F. and A.M. since 1876. Three years later he became its master and was elevated to an office in the Grand Lodge in 1912. He was a member of many years standing in Lodge No. 1, B. P. O. E., the New York Athletic Club, The Eighth Avenue Association and was affiliated with many financial and charitable institutions.”
About Reisenweber’s Cafe, Columbus Circle, 58th Street and 8th Avenue, Manhattan (1856, as a tavern - 1922)
“The restaurant/nightclub hybrid — one of the first true ‘entertainment complexes’ –was owned by John Reisenweber, whose father had owned a small tavern at this very corner in 1856. Needless to say, John was far more ambitious plans. Reisenweber’s was truly a product of the decade, expanding in 1910, closed by 1922. It held court in Columbus Circle at 58th Street and Eighth Avenue during a time when this corner of Central Park was a popular destination for theater goers, of both the high and low brow varieties. The most famous — and respectable — stage in the neighborhood was the Park Theatre (formerly the Majestic) featuring the hottest names in drama and musical comedy. So, naturally, Reisenweber’s became a magnet for theater stars and their champagne entourages.” (Credit: http://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2010/02/reisenwebers-cafe-glamour-late-nights.html)
