Waltham pocket watch
Update: I got up the courage to open the back and found this beautiful thing! 15 jewel, model 1891, production year 1898.
Anybody around here know much about Waltham pocket watches?
I just bought a new house and in the process of packing I came across my great-grandfather’s Waltham. I actually didn’t even know I had it as it was sitting at the bottom of an old watch box from my dad that just had a couple of old broken quartz watches in it or so I thought.
Based on the serial number, it appears to be an 1883 manufactured in 1894. The pendant side is engraved with “Keystone Watch Case”
The crown will not turn clockwise at all, but does turn counterclockwise. My father doesn’t recall it ever running.
I haven’t figured out how to remove the back and/or I’m afraid to damage it because I don’t know what I’m doing and don’t even remove the case backs from my current watches!
Without knowing much more, do you think it’s repairable? Should I try to have it serviced/restored or just keep it as a display piece?
Thanks for any insight.
Ever since I got a calculator watch for my 9th birthday, I’ve been a watch enthusiast and it was during the pandemic that things went crazy. Current collection consists mainly of “affordable” field/pi...
I think it is very repairable, sounds like something is wrong with the keyless works, but holy moly that is a beautiful pocket watch, I would definitely get it working and it probably needs a good service anyway.
It is surely reparable. I have some Tiffany cased key-wound watch with a movement by some Parisian watchmaker that was only around for a few decades in the later 1800s. It was repaired, albeit at a price that was a little dear but it was totally totally fixed, not just returned to running condition.
It's a sidewinder with a hunter case, so it doesn't really lend itself well to display IMHO. The big questions are
The latter will require a chain. Not for looks but because you really don't want to drop these things at all. Expect a quality vintage chain to rival or exceed the value of the watch.
The line that tipped me over the edge was something like "we can get parts for it now. In the future, they may not be available." If you ever want it to run, there is no time like the present.
That movement is going to be nearly as beautiful as the rest. Waltham is the first important American watch company.
It is surely reparable. I have some Tiffany cased key-wound watch with a movement by some Parisian watchmaker that was only around for a few decades in the later 1800s. It was repaired, albeit at a price that was a little dear but it was totally totally fixed, not just returned to running condition.
It's a sidewinder with a hunter case, so it doesn't really lend itself well to display IMHO. The big questions are
The latter will require a chain. Not for looks but because you really don't want to drop these things at all. Expect a quality vintage chain to rival or exceed the value of the watch.
The line that tipped me over the edge was something like "we can get parts for it now. In the future, they may not be available." If you ever want it to run, there is no time like the present.
Great! Thanks for the advice. I‘ve been meaning to take my dad’s old Omega in to be serviced, so I will definitely bring this along to have them take a look. It’s a shame I didn’t know it was in that damn box, it‘s probably been sitting in there 20+ years.
The movement is covered by a hinged dust cover that is simply friction fit. There should be a lip where you can insert a small knife and pop it open.
One you can view the movement, type the serial number into the "Pocket Watch Database:" https://pocketwatchdatabase.com
That should tell you just about everything you need to know about the watch.
It does appear, from my estimation, to be a "dress" pocket watch, which were smaller (probably a 12 size case) to be worn with a suit.
Also to add, the Keystone Watch Case Co. was one of the great American case makers and located in New Jersey. They made cases for all the big American watch companies: Waltham, Hamilton, Elgin etc. The weighing scale mark on the case indicates that it is a gold filled case. The layers of gold on those cases were typically VERY thick, and if the watch wasn't used much, you might not notice any brassing (when the brass underneath starts to show through).
Also to add, the Keystone Watch Case Co. was one of the great American case makers and located in New Jersey. They made cases for all the big American watch companies: Waltham, Hamilton, Elgin etc. The weighing scale mark on the case indicates that it is a gold filled case. The layers of gold on those cases were typically VERY thick, and if the watch wasn't used much, you might not notice any brassing (when the brass underneath starts to show through).
Wow! Thanks for all the great info! I knew WatchCrunch was definitely the place to go for answers (not to mention super quick and thorough).
I’m such an amateur. Still don’t see how to open, but that’s fine. Definitely going to take this to my local watchmaker to have a look.
The movement is covered by a hinged dust cover that is simply friction fit. There should be a lip where you can insert a small knife and pop it open.
One you can view the movement, type the serial number into the "Pocket Watch Database:" https://pocketwatchdatabase.com
That should tell you just about everything you need to know about the watch.
It does appear, from my estimation, to be a "dress" pocket watch, which were smaller (probably a 12 size case) to be worn with a suit.
I got up the nerve to open the case back... way too easy!
According to the database, it's a model 1891 manufactured in 1898. And it's gorgeous!
I got up the nerve to open the case back... way too easy!
According to the database, it's a model 1891 manufactured in 1898. And it's gorgeous!
I told you. I have never seen one disappoint.
Beautiful watch! I've just recently repaired a few of these so if you have any questions feel free to reach out.
I got up the nerve to open the case back... way too easy!
According to the database, it's a model 1891 manufactured in 1898. And it's gorgeous!
Absolutely stunning!! Glad you were able to open the dust cover and sneak a peak at the movement. The "damaskeening" on the plates and gold chatons holding the jewels are a sight to behold.