Waltham Model 1888

[richiec]

Were there different size pillar plates on the various year Model 1888's? I have an old AWC Co. open face sterling case with movement #8393264 produced about 1897 in it. The movement needs some work so I thought I would exchange another movement into the case. I tried movement # 8481495 which is a hunter case movement produced about 1898, due to the location of the dowel in the pillar plate it would not fit the case so I tried movement # 7187220 which was also a hunter case movement, produced about 1895, but without the dowel pin and found that the pillar plate was closer to a 14 size and fell right through the case. Yet all of these watches were Model 1888 and produced within a year or two of each other, any thoughts.

[richiec]

Just thought I would see if anyone has any idea why there is such a difference in the width of the pillar plates on these similar Model 1888's.

[Jerry Treiman]

I have heard that there were some movements that were a standard 16 size but have not seen any myself. As for the one that seemed to be 14 size, could it have been an 1895 model 14-size, which look a lot like the '88 model and shares many of the same parts. If it is negative setting it is 14 size.

[richiec]

Oops, an update, I took a closer look at the movements again, someone had ground away part of one of the pillar plate on the 7187220 to make it fit some other case, just noticed the grinding marks tonight, now the pillar plate is the same diameter as the dial, it is a shame because it runs so well, now I need a 14S case, they are so easy to find. I have only one and it is a pin set movement. Thanks for responding, Jerry.