Heirloom gold pocket watch

[piratfisk]

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!

[piratfisk]

Front


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Back


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Overall


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Dial detail


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[enjoythemusic]

Very very cool! Any chance to see movement pics?

[Calatrava r]

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

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Very very cool! Any chance to see movement pics?

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?").

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

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

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.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

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

[RW16610]

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

[JTL31]

Very impressive! What a cool heirloom to have.

[MILGAUSS88]

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.

[MILGAUSS88]

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

[Easy E]

The case back might screw off…???

Extremely cool.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Easy E

The case back might screw off…???
.

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

[piratfisk]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[piratfisk]

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.

[enjoythemusic]

the condition looks INCREDIBLE for the age, wow!

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

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

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.

[MILGAUSS88]

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

[MILGAUSS88]

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.

[MILGAUSS88]

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.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

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

Wow, thanks for this info!

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

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.

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.

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

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.