Heirloom gold pocket watch
 

My dad just mailed me his great-grandfather’s (my great-great-grandfather’s!) pocket watch. It’s a Waltham & the only other inscription on the inside of the lid (door?) is “14K” (gold) & “20457.” Crown winds on stem as expected (manual only), Roman numerals with the watchmaker’s 4, small seconds, red 5-increment minutes outboard of the hours. Pretty neat! Don’t know anything else about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edit: Just looked up the serial (20457) which corresponds with production years of 1860-80. Asked my dad & he said that checks out. Wow!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f4f4c2ddab.jpg
Front


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b6eaf98a7c.jpg
Back


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6d698fa1df.jpg
Overall


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e57aa57073.jpg
Dial detail


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very very cool! Any chance to see movement pics?

How is it working? Would be curious to know the power reserve.

I don't have any tools to open it. I only have a springbar tool (did I just demote myself from WIS to "casual nerd?").

It winds & all three hands move under their own power. The winding action is very gravely, which I'd attribute to nearly-solidified oil in the movement due to age. I don't want to wind it anymore for fear of breaking something or stripping a gear. I haven't tried to set the time. The crown stem seems very fragile. I need to find someone in SoCal who specializes in pre-war watch repair.

May i suggest contacting someone at the NAWCC as am sure one of their members can help.

https://www.nawcc.org/local-chapters...&submit=Search

This is very cool, Jake! Certainly interested in seeing and hearing more about this.

Very impressive! What a cool heirloom to have.

The serial number would be located on the movement, not the case.
Often times the case is made by a different company.
It is a snap case and you only need a knife to pop open the back.
There is a little tab on the top edge of the case, where you should pry.

Can you take a picture of the 14k mark on the case and a photo of the movement?

The case back might screw off…???

Extremely cool.

No, hinged on bottom, and tab on back of case.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...741d426231.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...64131fd800.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...462f7e9048.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d78bb8b31e.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...009b4b787b.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow! The back just pops off on a hinge. Just used my fingernail.

From what I can read inside the first back "lid:"

1) ELITE & CO (or ELITE W.CO?) (stamped)
2) 14 K (stamped)
3) 1xx - x - 29 (hand engraved)
4) 158-P or R-CF (hand engraved)
5) F10 (hand engraved)
6) 20457 (stamped)
7) G-214-T (hand engraved)
8) 12-27(s) (hand engraved)

Inside the second lid (movement):

1) 10390648
2) SAFETY BARREL
3) American Waltham Watch Co.
4) F S (I assume to advance or retard the timekeeping... fast/slow)

So cool! The jewel pivots are in poor shape. I won't wind it anymore until it's serviced.

the condition looks INCREDIBLE for the age, wow!

Yes, please carefully choose who restores it. Am sure someone from the NAWCC can help.

I just emailed their "info@..." address on the Chapter 59 website. If I don't hear from them, I'll ask my jeweler if she can recommend someone. I'll also ask my local San Diego watch nerd group. It's currently sitting on my desk while I take a break.

Grade: Seaside
Mixed Run: 7-Jewel and 15-Jewel Movements
Manufacturer: Waltham
Manufacturer Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
Movement Serial Number: 10390648
Grade: Seaside
Model: 1891
Estimated Production Year: 1901
Run Quantity: 10,000
Grade/Model Run: 54 of 103
Grade/Model Total Production: 961,289
Size: 0s
Jewels: 15j MIXED RUN
Movement Configuration: Hunting
Movement Setting: Pendant
Hairspring: Breguet
Adjusted: No
Railroad Grade: No
Data Research: 1954 Waltham "Gray Book" List
NAWCC Waltham Serial Digest

Case: Various

So, this watch was made in 1901.
And it is a 0 (zero) size watch, which means that it was your Grandmother's, not your Grandfather's.

The case does appear to be solid 14k, a lot of times false hallmarks were used or other writing was added to reflect that the case was gold filled.

Wow, thanks for this info!
Asked my father. He believes it to be his great-grandfather's, not great-grandmother's. He did not meet either of them, but recalls his grandfather wearing it.

:clap: