Waltham Dual Grade Amn Riverside Special

[Nigel Harrison]

Hi Folks,

I thought I would post some pictures of this watch I acquired about a year and a half ago and have been meaning to post some pictures of it for opinions and any info on similar ones. I have looked at thousands of Walthams since and never seen another one exactly like it. It has two grades shown on the nickel plates AMn Watch Co and Riverside. Most Riverside 1888 models have the AWWCo lettering at the top of the plate with Riverside beside it. When you look in the SN Database it shows it as a special run and that is why I purchased it. I knew that it was a special Riverside when I purchased it but I did not really realise it was an Amn grade until after I received it and I learned more about the Amn grade.

If you I knew what I know now about the Amn grade I would have bid a lot higher to cover myself! Just lucky I got it for the uninformed bid that I placed. :)

Anyway, happy viewing and let me know what you think. SN is 6525773

Regards,

Nigel.

[mikeh]

Hi Nigel,

Interesting watch you have there. I asked the same question a few years ago on the old Chapter 149 Forum when it was part of this message board. The thing I found curious was that the remarking was somewhat of a downgrade since the Am'n was usually a notch above the Riverside. Some thought it wasn't factory work but it wasn't long until another one turned up, and now yours.

Here is an old picture of my (dirty) hunter. (http://www.knology.net/~hodo/images/88amn_rs1.jpg)

I usually get in trouble when I speculate, but I'll do it anyway. It seems that this grade started to fade away sometime in the 6m range. I not sure about the time frame, but I believe 17 jewel movements were becoming popular and the Am'n grade usually had 16 jewels, so maybe the lesser jeweled movements weren't moving and were sent back for an 'upgrade'. So, while you're adding a jewel and messing up the damaskeening anyway (the markings appear to have been added post finish), why not go ahead and mark it with the Riverside name which was more heavily advertised?

Some true researchers around here have studied this grade a lot more than I have so maybe they can add something more than conjecture.

Thanks for showing your watch. It's a beauty.

[Fred Hansen]

I saw one of these last year at a show with the same markings ... I won't likely see the seller (or watch) until February but if it is still there I will get the serial number and post back here.

Fred

[Jon Hanson]

I have at least one (which is handy) #6506312; to boot it is also signed and IS non magnetic!

[Jon Hanson]

also note the two diff types of regulators..................

[mikeh]

If we're keeping numbers, the other one I spotted back when was 6000856, OF, tadpole-ish regulator (which seems to fade away at about 6.2m).

[Jon Hanson]

If we're keeping numbers, the other one I spotted back when was 6000856, OF, tadpole-ish regulator (which seems to fade away at about 6.2m).

no, my 6.5 has it

[Nigel Harrison]

Thanks for the response Guys. It is much appreciated.

It is interesting to hear of other examples.

I would have thought that these movements would have been marked like this from the factory since the whole run of 100 in the Waltham Serial Number DB was marked Riverside and Special. If the run of 100 watches had been sent out I imagine they would have been sent to various watchmaker locations therefore the run of 100 would not have been able to be returned in one lot. Unless of course someone purchased the whole 100 movements then sent them back.

But my this is just my pure speculation as well. :)

Was this normal to send the movements back?

Regards,

Nigel.