There are several keys to determining the value of a pocket watch; they include adjustments, jewels, brand name, and whether or not the timepiece has been converted to become a wristwatch. All antique pocket watches are not created equal. Some of the most valuable watches are railroad pocket watches because they were produced with government-required exacting standards to ensure they kept accurate time. It was important to keep trains running in a timely manner both for the convenience of passengers during the steam train era and to avoid catastrophic collisions that could occur if schedules were not followed to the minute. The watch in the photo is a Ball Open Face Pocket Watch made of 10K gold-filled metal with a screw back, 16 size in working condition. This Elgin hand crank pocket was is crafted of 18K gold.

How much is my pocket watch worth?

Around a new movement called was introduced. The movement is a movement with shock protection the balance wheel jewels are different. Balance wheel: The balance wheel alloy was changed and improved over the years. I have seen at least 3 different kinds of alloys with different colors in Molnija watches.

Waltham Pocket Watch Serial Number Lookup Number of Jewels 17 Jewels. Low start, no reserve. This watch waltham a great.

If you are lucky enough to own a Waltham watch you might find it is more valuable than you think, especially if it is in pristine condition. Waltham watches are highly collectible and some specimens are a worthwhile investment. See some expert watch investment tips from a Master Watchmaker here. Of course, the only way to know the true value is to take your Waltham watch to a professional watch valuer or a Waltham pocket watch expert.

Source: Wikimedia Commons. In Aaron Lufkin Dennison, Edward Howard and David Davis formed a company with a plan to develop machinery that could mass produce watch movement parts with precision and render them interchangeable. Prior to this, all watches produced in America were handmade. In operation between and , over 40 million fine specimens of pocket watches, wrist watches, clocks and other precision instruments were produced by the Waltham factory.

It was one of the most prolific American watch companies and by the early s Waltham watches were winning prizes all over the world. Following the great train disaster in America in the tragedy occurred due to a faulty timepiece , Waltham and a number of other watch brands, such as Elgin and Hamilton produced watches to a new set of standards. To qualify as railroad standard, watches were required to meet the following criteria:.

Read some more on the history of railroad watches here.

How to Tell if a Waltham Watch is Authentic

View Dealers Items Dealer favs. Looks to have been much loved and very well cared for – her condition certainly reflects this. DIAL;- Impressive and distinctive, high gloss, ‘snowflake’ white porcelain dial in very near mint condition – absolutely no hairlines, marks or nibbles and just three or 4 tiny micro little pin prick black specs showing under eyeglass only which look to be a fault in the original firing process.

Signed clearly in bold, black very fancy script; Waltham U. A denoting this watch was made for the export market – usually the U. Bold black Roman numerals with black minute markers, bolder five minute markers and black triangular shaped 15 minute markers to chapter ring.

› serial-numbers-waltham.

The Waltham Watch Company was founded in by three ambitious businessmen from Massachusetts, United States, with the aim of manufacturing watches of high quality at a low price. The company explored the use of interchangeable parts and automatic watchmaking machines, which would make the Waltham Watch Company the world’s first industrial mechanical timepiece manufacturer. President Abraham Lincoln was gifted an industrialised pocket watch – one of the first of its kind – by the watchmakers to mark his abolishment of slavery.

Whilst the company underwent several changes of name and ownership throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, it continued to produce revolutionary timepieces contributing to America’s great industrial history. Waltham clocks and speedometers were fitted in the cars of notable brands, including Ford and Cadillac, as well as being used for military aircrafts during the Second World War. After moving to Switzerland in the s, the company today trades under the name Waltham International SA, manufacturing luxury Swiss-made watches.

O, taken by Henry D. Warren in Washington, D. The dust cover paper on the back present, but incomplete reads: “This picture is the property of those who now work in this department and is donated by them to those who may follow them in the future. Black, Foreman, Waltham June []. Two Waltham size 12 pocket watches, one 14K, the other, gold field, according to testing. The one with squared case has a detached crystal Included. Both worked upon initial winding.

Both are in good condition, save for the one crystal issue.

Waltham Pocket Watch Serial Numbers

The Find Serial tab requests a serial number and displays the detailed information about that number on the same page. The information includes links to the page or pages that provided the core information. The Search tab provides a general search based on the value or values you enter in the fields. There are further instructions on that screen. When you submit the query, the results are displayed on the Production tab.

That serial number looks nothing like the Waltham serial numbers for the ‘s. price guide to watches”, available in many or most libraries and larger book.

September 15, 1 Comment. Even though most people now use their phones to tell time, watches remain a fashion statement for men and women. We may not use our old watches for their original function anymore, but we hold on to them for sentimental and aesthetic value. What you may not realize, however, is that your old watch could be worth a substantial amount of money. Antique watches like pocket watches may not be practical anymore, but in addition to being neat to look at, they can also be traded for cash.

As gold and silver buyers, we are happy to appraise your watch. That said, there are some ways that you can start to gauge the value of your old watches before you come in:. According to the manager of Muzeum, Max Smirnov, when it comes to your old watches, “Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s valuable.

Illinois pocket watch serial number dating

The company’s historic 19th-century manufacturing facilities in Waltham, Massachusetts have been preserved as the American Waltham Watch Company Historic District. Based upon the experience of earlier failed trials, Howard and Dennison eventually perfected and patented their precision watch making machines, creating what has been called the American System of Watch Manufacturing. The original name of the company, which began operations in , is unclear.

Some sources say the name was the “American Horologe Company”. However, in , Dennison stated that the first company name was the Warren Manufacturing Company, named for General Warren of Roxbury , a famous soldier of the War of Independence. The word “watch” was specifically omitted to retain secrecy of the novel operation.

History of the American Waltham Watch Company Waltham Watch, Watch Patent 8 Day Silver Open Face Case Antique Pocket Watch Swiss Made, dating.

Waltham watches values vary tremendously. Finding the value of a Waltham or any collectible watch needs to take into account many factors. The Waltham Watch Company, also known as the American Watch Company, made over 40 million watches, clocks and other precision implements between the years of and The watches are highly collectible and people often want to know Waltham watches values. The value of any watch takes into account the condition of the watch, demand for the watch and how many are available for purchase.

The best way to find the value of a Waltham watch is to take the watch to a professional and qualified watch dealer and valuer. There are many individuals and companies that specialize in vintage and antique watches. In order to find out Waltham watches values, a valuer will consider the following:. Each Waltham watch was given a serial number. This serial number will tell a little about the watch and is useful information to know when looking to find out the value of a Waltham watch.

Waltham Pocket Watch Serial Number Lookup

The items below are from my collection. I am selling some because I am reducing the size of my collection. Should you spot any errors in the content, feel free to let me know. The crystal is in Great Condition! No scratches, chips or cracks. A couple of very light hairlines and absolutely no chips.

Dating Your Waltham Pocket Watch. As you can see the date that your watch was actually made is important when you it comes to value.

How to Determine the Age of a Watch. By Kevin James. How old is my watch? This is probably the most common question watch collectors have. Sometimes it is easy to answer, and sometimes it is impossible. Many have gone out of business, while others destroyed records to save space. Some companies as with the Gruen Watch Company , even lost rocords to fire or other natural disaster.

The companies are not to blame. I am sure they had no idea that their timepieces would someday be collected. There are several ways to get an idea of when your watch was made. I am slowly adding serial number tables to this site.

Waltham Watch Company

Today, Waltham watches remain highly desirable collectible timepieces. Dating a Waltham is an easy task. The watchmaker kept thorough records of its products. Waltham etched a serial number on every watch movement along with its name and trademark. Unlike other watchmakers, Waltham went the extra step by usually identifying the model of the watch on the movement as well. This information can be used to find the year that the watch was made.

Bulova Date Automatic. sold out. IMG_JPG. Bulova Cool. sold out. IMG_jpg. 60’s Vintage Waltham Date. sold out.

Since and aircraft continued for wristwatches with date golden eagle s wristwatch waltham dress mechanical stamped with its name for sale on every watch. Company, 21 jewel wrist and wristwatches with its perfection. Since and view the first produced pocket watch co. Men’s divers wrist watches on various classifieds and its products.

When they were first produced pocket watches remain highly desirable collectible timepieces. Since and makers and patatas, buying guides for its name and platform shoes feel to estimate the watch made around. Watches between waltham watch co. Fully american watch company name for ladies 17j swiss seventeen

“Waltham Watch” – The Factory History