ASHLAND GRADING SYSTEM GUIDE  This grading system is property of Antiquorum

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
47 hairline
48 2 hairlines
49 multiple hairlines
50 slightly scratched
51 scratched
52 slightly worn
53 very worn
54 very slightly chipped
55 chipped

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
47 hairline
48 2 hairlines
49 multiple hairlines
50 slightly scratched
51 scratched
52 slightly worn
53 very worn
54 very slightly chipped
55 chipped
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

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 1-800-424-5353 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.