Waltham PW

alvin · 06-12-2013, 06:19 PM

Acquired a 16 size "Waltham" PW recently. 15 Jewel Model 1899, gold plated case ("GF"), unadjusted movement. From serial number, it's actually made in 1907. It's hard to believe it's made more than 100 years ago, the darn thing is in excellent shape and keeps excellent time. Probably overpaid a little bit. I saw similar PWs going $120 on ebay (probably a little bit less condition), but final price is still modest, under $200.

On Macy's 1920 ad, gold plated Waltham was for sale at $17.89 (similar to this one). But that's 1920s. Waltham with 14k gold case was $32.50. If adding fancy dial, it was $37.50.

lugerholsterrepair · 06-12-2013, 06:35 PM

Yup..Ya gotta love those old timepieces. A real thing of beauty! I used a pocket watch when I was 16. I was an underground hardrock miner. Drilling and blasting. We carried ours in a small can you had to unscrew to get at the watch. Pretty sure from what I remember it was part of a dustmask? It was hard duty at 2000 feet underground...

Neil Young · 06-12-2013, 06:35 PM

Looks brand new!

Edward Tinker · 06-12-2013, 06:54 PM

I went through a period of buying them, had a few worked on, bought several that already work.

I have my great uncles, had it worked on and she runs well. Every now and then I like to carry one.

Elgins seem to break on me?? Waltham's seem to work fine, although the smaller sizes are usually prettier I tend to like the more massive railroad size (whether really railroad approved or not).

alvin · 06-12-2013, 09:03 PM

The next target will be a railroad watch. Try to find a Waltham Vanguard, it's railroad grade. Waltham had a position in U.S. industrialization process of 19th century. The story says one founder of factory, Dennison, visited Springfield Armory frequently, and was inspired by the way of musket was made. He wanted to setup a factory to make watches with inter-exchangeable parts.

I heard Waltham made 35 million PWs. So it's still very available on the open market. There are Vanguard in NIB condition,,,, I just need to wait one. Also, Waltham factory building has been preserved. I am not sure it's opening for visitor or not. Will find out.

alanint · 06-12-2013, 10:10 PM

I recently inherited the Waltham pocket watch of a family friend. It had belonged to the very late Charles T Wilson, one of the turn of the century Rubber Barons and was solid gold. It had his initials in a nice shield-shaped cartouche. I researched it and managed to sell it for a bit over $1,000.

DuWhat · 06-12-2013, 11:09 PM

When I first started for the Santa Fe Railroad in 1974 we had to have approved watches. All that were approved at that time were the pocket watches. I bought mine from a fellow conductor. It is a Illinois Bunn Special with 21 jewels and we had to have them cleaned and adjusted once a year and carry the card with us to prove the watch kept correct time. I still have the watch 39 years later and it still keeps good time.

alvin · 06-13-2013, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

I researched it and managed to sell it for a bit over $1,000.

Watch with solid gold case is a big variable. The price swings big time. There was a retail model with Waltham Riverside movement on ebay a few days ago:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-14K-...-/230993517975

Given the total weight of 2.3oz, even if the case is only 1oz (probably a little bit more or less, I don't know), 14k is 57% pure, the 0.57oz gold has $800 value. But the market sentiment on gold is very negative these days, so the watch sold $810, only around raw material value. I bet all bidders of this watch having that in mind. Missed this one.

alvin · 06-13-2013, 08:40 AM

Elgin factory was setup by a few Waltham guys. Elgin's production volume is bigger. One ebayer listed an Elgin starting at $0.99, free shipping, no reserve. Surprisingly, no one bid on it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1910...-/281118291167

It's one big dollar, shipping included!! How could seller not losing money if someone had put down $1 on it.....

alanint · 06-13-2013, 09:11 AM

Ebay has a minimum bid feature. They encourage sellers to start low to get the bidding started, but once you bid, a "minimum bid not met" message usually pops up.

alvin · 06-15-2013, 01:28 PM

It ran happily in the past few days. Accurate to the degree that it only loses or gains a single second in 24 hours (when laying flat on table). Unfortunately, starting last night, I notice it does not wind tight anymore. I guess the main spring hook to the barrel is broken. I don't have appropriate tools and parts. Just send it to a local watchmaker to have it repaired.

ithacaartist · 06-15-2013, 07:10 PM

Here's my watch story. About 15 yrs ago, I received a Swiss Army stainless pocket watch for Xmas, and carried it all the time. I usually carried it in its little leather "wallet" in my pocket. About 10 years ago, it was missing upon my return from a successful afternoon of deer hunting. I realized that, once again, I'd mistaken the access slit in my coveralls for the pocket and it had probably fallen out of my pant-leg as I walked over to the dress the deer from the spot I'd been standing when I took the deer. I had checked the time (3:50 PM) right after she went down, before I went over.

Next spring, I rented a metal detector for 1/2 day and re-traced my steps from where I was standing on watch to the place I'd dressed her out; then, from there to where I'd parked the van. I found all sorts of metal do-dads, none of which were of any value--old rim for a headlight, some cans, other scraps...but no watch.

That Xmas, my girlfriend bought me another!

alvin · 06-18-2013, 07:27 PM

My assessment was correct. The watchmaker called me, the main spring is broken. Besides replacing the broken spring, it needs cleaning and oiling as well. If I don't do it, it does not work anymore. If I do it, the cost can easily buy a working one on ebay. But I will still do it. The logic is simple: If buy another one, it's in unknown status. At least, I know this one's mode. One working PW in hand is better than two broken ones.

This hobby is somewhat troublesome. The subject collectible is too fragile. The initial cost is modest, but as long as it keeps running, it could become a money sink

If put aside without winding,,,,,,, this is not a rare model, nor a precious metal cased model,,,,,, if this one does not run, which one will run

sheepherder · 10-01-2013, 06:37 PM

Now you got me going through boxes in my Attic...Stuff packed & moved twice, over a 35 year span...(and never unpacked)...

When my father died in 1971, my sisters packed up what little personal items he had and saved them for me (I was overseas)...

This pocket watch was among them...It's a Westclox 'Pocket Ben'...I have no idea how old it is/was, or if it is a cheap bottom-end watch...I recall that it originally had a piece of ribbon holding the fob to the watch...Somehow that ribbon dried up and fell to pieces, so I put this little chain on it, just so I wouldn't lose the fob...

There is a stamp inside that reads 10 56 but there was nothing special that happened on that date (in my family), so that may or may not be the manufacture date...

No idea why my father had it...He did wear a wristwatch, but that seems to have disappeared before I got home...

I don't recall if the Westclox kept good time or not...I've never been a watch person...(I don't own one now - haven't since about 1983)...

alvin · 10-01-2013, 10:37 PM

Postino, welcome back! From the hand style of the watch, I guess it's made in 1940s.

Shearwater6 · 10-02-2013, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Yup..Ya gotta love those old timepieces. A real thing of beauty! I used a pocket watch when I was 16. I was an underground hardrock miner. Drilling and blasting. We carried ours in a small can you had to unscrew to get at the watch. Pretty sure from what I remember it was part of a dustmask? It was hard duty at 2000 feet underground...

I was an air leg miner too! That is some hard graft!!

06-12-2013, 06:19 PM	#1
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Waltham PW Acquired a 16 size "Waltham" PW recently. 15 Jewel Model 1899, gold plated case ("GF"), unadjusted movement. From serial number, it's actually made in 1907. It's hard to believe it's made more than 100 years ago, the darn thing is in excellent shape and keeps excellent time. Probably overpaid a little bit. I saw similar PWs going $120 on ebay (probably a little bit less condition), but final price is still modest, under $200. On Macy's 1920 ad, gold plated Waltham was for sale at $17.89 (similar to this one). But that's 1920s. Waltham with 14k gold case was $32.50. If adding fancy dial, it was $37.50. Attached Thumbnails

06-12-2013, 06:35 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,879 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,429 Posts	Yup..Ya gotta love those old timepieces. A real thing of beauty! I used a pocket watch when I was 16. I was an underground hardrock miner. Drilling and blasting. We carried ours in a small can you had to unscrew to get at the watch. Pretty sure from what I remember it was part of a dustmask? It was hard duty at 2000 feet underground... __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-12-2013, 06:35 PM	#3
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 545 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	Looks brand new! __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

06-12-2013, 06:54 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	I went through a period of buying them, had a few worked on, bought several that already work. I have my great uncles, had it worked on and she runs well. Every now and then I like to carry one. Elgins seem to break on me?? Waltham's seem to work fine, although the smaller sizes are usually prettier I tend to like the more massive railroad size (whether really railroad approved or not). __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

06-15-2013, 07:10 PM	#12
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,322 Thanks: 7,179 Thanked 2,532 Times in 1,348 Posts	Here's my watch story. About 15 yrs ago, I received a Swiss Army stainless pocket watch for Xmas, and carried it all the time. I usually carried it in its little leather "wallet" in my pocket. About 10 years ago, it was missing upon my return from a successful afternoon of deer hunting. I realized that, once again, I'd mistaken the access slit in my coveralls for the pocket and it had probably fallen out of my pant-leg as I walked over to the dress the deer from the spot I'd been standing when I took the deer. I had checked the time (3:50 PM) right after she went down, before I went over. Next spring, I rented a metal detector for 1/2 day and re-traced my steps from where I was standing on watch to the place I'd dressed her out; then, from there to where I'd parked the van. I found all sorts of metal do-dads, none of which were of any value--old rim for a headlight, some cans, other scraps...but no watch. That Xmas, my girlfriend bought me another! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

06-12-2013, 09:03 PM	#5
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	The next target will be a railroad watch. Try to find a Waltham Vanguard, it's railroad grade. Waltham had a position in U.S. industrialization process of 19th century. The story says one founder of factory, Dennison, visited Springfield Armory frequently, and was inspired by the way of musket was made. He wanted to setup a factory to make watches with inter-exchangeable parts. I heard Waltham made 35 million PWs. So it's still very available on the open market. There are Vanguard in NIB condition,,,, I just need to wait one. Also, Waltham factory building has been preserved. I am not sure it's opening for visitor or not. Will find out.

06-12-2013, 10:10 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I recently inherited the Waltham pocket watch of a family friend. It had belonged to the very late Charles T Wilson, one of the turn of the century Rubber Barons and was solid gold. It had his initials in a nice shield-shaped cartouche. I researched it and managed to sell it for a bit over $1,000.

06-12-2013, 11:09 PM	#7
DuWhat User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 15 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	When I first started for the Santa Fe Railroad in 1974 we had to have approved watches. All that were approved at that time were the pocket watches. I bought mine from a fellow conductor. It is a Illinois Bunn Special with 21 jewels and we had to have them cleaned and adjusted once a year and carry the card with us to prove the watch kept correct time. I still have the watch 39 years later and it still keeps good time.

06-13-2013, 08:40 AM	#9
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Elgin factory was setup by a few Waltham guys. Elgin's production volume is bigger. One ebayer listed an Elgin starting at $0.99, free shipping, no reserve. Surprisingly, no one bid on it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1910...-/281118291167 It's one big dollar, shipping included!! How could seller not losing money if someone had put down $1 on it.....

06-13-2013, 09:11 AM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Ebay has a minimum bid feature. They encourage sellers to start low to get the bidding started, but once you bid, a "minimum bid not met" message usually pops up.

06-15-2013, 01:28 PM	#11
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	It ran happily in the past few days. Accurate to the degree that it only loses or gains a single second in 24 hours (when laying flat on table). Unfortunately, starting last night, I notice it does not wind tight anymore. I guess the main spring hook to the barrel is broken. I don't have appropriate tools and parts. Just send it to a local watchmaker to have it repaired.

06-18-2013, 07:27 PM	#13
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	My assessment was correct. The watchmaker called me, the main spring is broken. Besides replacing the broken spring, it needs cleaning and oiling as well. If I don't do it, it does not work anymore. If I do it, the cost can easily buy a working one on ebay. But I will still do it. The logic is simple: If buy another one, it's in unknown status. At least, I know this one's mode. One working PW in hand is better than two broken ones. This hobby is somewhat troublesome. The subject collectible is too fragile. The initial cost is modest, but as long as it keeps running, it could become a money sink If put aside without winding,,,,,,, this is not a rare model, nor a precious metal cased model,,,,,, if this one does not run, which one will run

10-01-2013, 06:37 PM	#14
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,441 Times in 2,329 Posts	Now you got me going through boxes in my Attic...Stuff packed & moved twice, over a 35 year span...(and never unpacked)... When my father died in 1971, my sisters packed up what little personal items he had and saved them for me (I was overseas)... This pocket watch was among them...It's a Westclox 'Pocket Ben'...I have no idea how old it is/was, or if it is a cheap bottom-end watch...I recall that it originally had a piece of ribbon holding the fob to the watch...Somehow that ribbon dried up and fell to pieces, so I put this little chain on it, just so I wouldn't lose the fob... There is a stamp inside that reads 10 56 but there was nothing special that happened on that date (in my family), so that may or may not be the manufacture date... No idea why my father had it...He did wear a wristwatch, but that seems to have disappeared before I got home... I don't recall if the Westclox kept good time or not...I've never been a watch person...(I don't own one now - haven't since about 1983)... Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-01-2013, 10:37 PM	#15
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Postino, welcome back! From the hand style of the watch, I guess it's made in 1940s.