HOW MANY WERE MADE

[watch nutt]

Hi Gang
I just acquired an American Watch Co grade 21j model 88,open face,serial # 7000599.My question is how many were made.One reference source says 700,but another says less than 250.Dose any one have a more concrete figure.
Watch Nutt

[watch nutt]

Hi Gang
I just acquired an American Watch Co grade 21j model 88,open face,serial # 7000599.My question is how many were made.One reference source says 700,but another says less than 250.Dose any one have a more concrete figure.
Watch Nutt

[Tom McIntyre]

The estimate of 700 by Bill Tapp and Tom Fowler came from dividing some unidentified runs between Riv. Max. and American Watch Co. grades. It is probably the most authoritative estimate. They estimated 700 in each of open face and hunting case.

I have a copy of the Waltham handwritten records compiled from job tickets around 1900. It is the most authoritative source available other than the actual watches themselves.

Your particular watch is from a run of 100 that was started in Dec of 1894 and was not completed until Mar of 1900. Since your watch is the next to last in that run, it was probably in the lot of 10 completed in March 1900.

Your run of watches is interesting because the factory records list it as 17J with some made in 16, 19 and 21J. All were American Watch Co. grade.

All the watches from 7,000,000 to 7,001,000 were either American or Riv Max grade. They were begun in November 1894 and completed in June of 1902.

In the Waltham "grey book" that was used to order parts both these runs are grouped together as "Special" 21J model 88's. There were actually 5 runs consisting of 700 Riverside Maximus and 300 American Watch Co. grade.

Just glancing at nearby runs, there were 50 American at 7003001 to 7003050 and 100 at 7003701 to 7003800. There were also another 400 Riverside Max made in nearby runs.

One might infer from these samples that in general there were at least twice as many Riverside Maximus as American Watch Co. 21J Model 88's. The records are very hard to read, so I am not sure I can get any better counts any time soon.

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Tom McIntyre
President, NAWCC Chapter 174
Pocket Horology Web (http://www.pocketwatch.org)
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre)

[watch nutt]

Thanks Tom for the information,it is very helpful.
Watch Nutt