How can I learn more about my Waltham watch?

[beck.ds]

I received a Waltham watch that my grandfather had that he got from his uncle and I want to learn more about it. I learned online that the serial number on the case is not the same as that in the mechanism and I need to know how to open it correctly to get the code. The code on the case starts with 158... million.

I also do not know how to set the time on it, but my grandfather had the winding mechanism repaired and it will keep time.

Can someone help me learn more?

[Veritas]

Hi Beck and welcome.
Your bezel may be snapped on or threaded on or even a hinge.
We need pictures to help you more to open it.
Don,t force anything until you are sure how it opens.
The case number won,t tell us much about the movement.
Hope to see some pictures soon.

[Robert Sweet]

I learned online that the serial number on the case is not the same as that in the mechanism and I need to know how to open it correctly to get the code. Can someone help me learn more?

Hello Beck.ds,

Welcome to the NAWCC American Pocket Watch message board.

As Veritas mentioned, a few sharp photos are best, but if you don't have a digital camera or scanner available, the instructions below may assist you in opening your watch case.

First, if you will click this link Case Type (http://mb.nawcc.org/showwiki.php?title=Case+Type), you will find a description of the various style cases.

After locating the style case you have click this link on "How To Open A Pocket Watch Case (http://k_singer.home.comcast.net/opening_pocket_watch_cases__k.htm)". After opening the case, you will find the serial number on the movement (the works). Let us know the serial number
and any other infomation marked on the movement and case.

Robert

[beck.ds]

Thanks! It is a hinged back, so I carefully ran my finger nail around the seam and it popped open.

The serial number on the mechanism is 4586637. I looked it up in the database and it appears it was made between 8/1890 and 10/1890. It does say BROADWAY there as well which matches what is in the database (BWay).

How about setting the time on it? It almost looks like the key wind can be used on the hub of the dials to move them into position but I would rather not until I know the proper way to do this.

Thanks so much for assisting with this! This is such an interesting piece of history.

[beck.ds]

Also, the case has the word SILVEROID on it and it has a serial number 1580914. I would be interested to find more out about this serial number. I read that some jewelers would put the serial numbers in the case to match the mechanism so I wonder if this is not what happened with this watch or if it was matched up separately.

Thanks again!

[Andy Dervan]

Hello,

Pocket watch companies manufactured watches and not cases although Waltham did manufacture cases for awhile.

Watch cases were made by other companies - Watch Case Companies

A customer for a watch would go to jeweler and select a movement and then a case. Jeweler would install the movement in the case, start the movement to make sure it ran properly, and the customer would come back in a couple of days to pickup his watch.

I have not observed or heard stories about jewelers adding serial numbers to watch cases, because they came from the factories with numbers stamped on them.

The serial numbers on movements and cases were not for customers benefit, but for company's benefit in sure all the proper parts were assembled while the watch movement or the watch case were being finished. The serial numbers and model descriptions were necessary for jeweler to order replacement parts to repair the watch.

Watch case companies used a variety of names on the cases to describe the metal used - Silveroid was a trade-name for non-silver containing budget watch case.

Andy

[BrianC]

beck.ds,
Your watch should set with the key, in the center of the hands, there will be a square post for setting.

[Robert Sweet]

Also, the case has the word SILVEROID on it and it has a serial number 1580914.

Thanks again!

Beck.ds,

Silveroid is a trade name used by the "Keystone Watch Case Co." as early as 1888.

According to research, Silveroid was introduced in 1884 by a Messrs. Wiggin & Co. and described as an "alloy of copper and nickel, to which zinc, tin or lead in varying proportions are added, according to the purpose for which it is to be used."

Robert

[Kent]

Silveroid was also used by the American Watch Case Co. (a Canadian company) as a trade mark for their Nickel Cases (http://mb.nawcc.org/showwiki.php?title=Case+Material#Nickel). I've often wondered if this company was controlled by the Keystone Watch Case Co.

[Robert Sweet]

Silveroid was also used by the American Watch Case Co. (a Canadian company) as a trade mark for their Nickel Cases (http://mb.nawcc.org/showwiki.php?title=Case+Material#Nickel). I've often wondered if this company was controlled by the Keystone Watch Case Co.


Kent,

According to research, the Keystone Watch Case Co. in 1903 purchased 851 shares or 42% of the 2000 shares of capital stock of the American Watch Case Co of Toronto, Canada. The rest of the stock was held largely in the interest of the Elgin and Waltham companies.

Robert