American Walthan Watch Co.

[Wes]

If you can post the serial number of the movement I think you'd get some answers.

The case sounds like it is the Gold Filled from made by Crescent. But, I am no expert, and if I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me! :wink:

------------------
NAWCC# 156994

[Kent]

Rosembelt:

Your watch case is almost certainly made by the Crescent Watch Case Co. Only a small percentage of American watches (or Swiss watches for the North American market) were cased at the factories prior to the mid-1920's. Most watch companies just made movements in industry standard sizes. The case companies made cases in those same sizes. The practice at that time was to go to a jeweler, select the quality of the movement and then pick out the desired style and quality of case. The jeweler would then fit the movement to the case in a matter of moments.

Or, watches were sold by mail-order. Large outfits such as Sears, Roebuck & Co., Montgomery Ward, or T. Eaton (in Canada), would offer the movements in a variety of cases of different design and quality in their catalogs. Smaller mail-order retailers would case the watches, typically in a 20-year gold filled case and offer it only that way, with the buyer not having a choice of cases.

Several Crescent ads are shown at this website: http://elginwatches.org/scans/misc_ads/1901/m_index.html
(you may have to copy this link and paste it in your browser address bar since directly linking to this website from the NAWCC Message Board is not possible).

If you can tell us all of the markings of the watch movement (the "works"), we can probably tell you quite a bit about the watch.

Kent :smile:

[Rosembelt]

The serial number on the mechanism is #6933324 do you think is worth having it cleaned. And how old do you think it is?

[GandalfPC]

It dates to around 1894. Personally I think any watch that has survived so long deserves a good clean and oil...

[Rosembelt]

you can view pictures @http://www.cartogra.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=2009328

[GandalfPC]

Looked at your pics - Nice watch and case :smile: Certainly worth cleaning. I wouldn't wind it again until it gets cleaned though (to avoid excessive wear to the pinions.)

[Wes]

According to the Waltham book, it should be a 0 size, model 1891. The book also says it should be a "Seaside" grade, with 7 to 15 Jewels.

I like the dial on there. Real nice!

Make sure when you have it cleaned to go to a reputable watchmaker. Try to stay away from the jewelers. They usually would just send it to watchmaker and mark it up. Not all jewelers, just too many! :smile:

Good luck!

------------------
NAWCC# 156994

[Rosembelt]

thanks for the info...it certainly gives an idea of it's age....now did you all think it was a good buy for ten bucks..my wife still thinks it's made brass...can any one give info on it's possible value..we have a bet going. she tells me it is not even worth the money i spent on it...any info will help thanks to all....

[Barry G]

Rosembelt,

Unfortunately, as stated at the top of this message board in bright red letters, we are not permitted to discuss values of individual watches here. It's a nifty little watch, and well worth the $10 you spent, but whether it's worth fixing depends on how much you have to pay to have it cleaned.

These small ladies watches were primarily meant as jewelry, not fine timepieces, and as such their value often lies mostly in their general aesthetic appeal. Many of them were very low grade, with only 7 jewels. All we can tell from the serial number on your watch is that it has somewhere between 7 and 15 jewels, which is quite a range. A decent picture of the inner movement would help narrow that down, but in order to be sure one would have to partially diassemble the watch to remove the dial and count the total number of jewels. Obviously, this is NOT something I would recommend you trying at home!

Regards,

Barry

------------------
My Online Pocket Watch Collection (http://barrygoldberg.net/watches.htm)



[This message has been edited by Barry G (edited 11-03-2002).]

[Rosembelt]

thank you all for the information give. I have all the information I need. You all have been very kind at providing a stranger with some very useful information. Thanks again to all and wish you all happy holidays.