GLAESER & SOHN, GLASHÜTTE | A GOLD OPEN-FACED KEYLESS LEVER WATCHCIRCA 1900, NO. 8915

•Movement: 2nd quality, gilded three-quarter plate, gold lever, bi-metallic compensation balance, precision regulation, signed and numbered Glashütter Ankeruhrenfabrik, R. Glaeser & Sohn, Glashütte, 8915•Dial: white enamel with Roman numerals and outer minute ring, blued steel hands, subsidiary seconds at 6 o' clock, signed Glashütter Anker-Uhrenfabrik, R. Glaeser & Sohn, Glashütte SA •Case: engine turned gold, hand-set button to the band with gold olivette, gold stem and bow, plain polished gold cuvette, case and cuvette numbered 8915 and with hallmarks for 14ct gold, case maker's mark AL 

Dial: in good condition Case: scuffs throughout and wear to the edge of the engine-turning Movement: running at the time of cataloguine
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

August K. Richard Gläser (1856 1928) was a pocket watch maker who worked in Glashütte. He initially learned his skills from his father, also a trained watchmaker but who made a living making watch and clock hands in his factory. Later, after his apprenticeship under Adolf Lange, the founder of the Watchindustrie in Glashuette, Richard went on to produce quite a considerable number of high quality watches between 1885 to 1920 for his own company, Deutsche Ankeruhrenfabrik.

Even though business was booming at the beginning of the First World War, production was halted in favour of military production. And later, due to the rapidly growing industrialization of the manufacturing process of pocket watches, the company eventually had to fold in 1920.