Waltham Pocket Wathes

[joelisa]

A question for anyone in the know. I have 2 vintage Waltham Pocket Watches. One is a gold-tone (no 14k markings), with a gold face and roman numerals. The serial number dates it to around 1918. 17 jewels.

The second is silver, dates to around 1897 or 1898. White face with black numbers. Also has red numbers in 5 minute intervals over the main numbers. 15 jewels.

Both of these watches have the common "inner dial" second hand..

Sorry if I sound amatuerish, because I am :smile:

Any knowledge anyone could impart to me about these watches would be greatly appreciated.

[joelisa]

A question for anyone in the know. I have 2 vintage Waltham Pocket Watches. One is a gold-tone (no 14k markings), with a gold face and roman numerals. The serial number dates it to around 1918. 17 jewels.

The second is silver, dates to around 1897 or 1898. White face with black numbers. Also has red numbers in 5 minute intervals over the main numbers. 15 jewels.

Both of these watches have the common "inner dial" second hand..

Sorry if I sound amatuerish, because I am :smile:

Any knowledge anyone could impart to me about these watches would be greatly appreciated.

[Dr. Jon]

Go to this link Waltham serial numbers (http://www.nawcc-info.org/WalthamDB/LookupSN.asp)
Type in the serial numbers and it will tell you production numbers model and grade.

If you have questions, we're here to answer them.

Welcome to the NAWCC board.

[joelisa]

Thanks Dr. Jon

The silver one is a model #1894, Grade 220, size 12.

The gold one is also an 1894, Grade 225, size 12.

In the "comment" box the silver one has a 42 and the gold one has a 94.

What do those comments mean?

Also, I'm not looking for an appraisal here. But would you say these watches are at least valuable enough for me to invest in having them restored? That I guess could run me more than $100.

Thanks again.

[Tom McIntyre]

The information in the database comes from two primary sources. Handwritten ledger books produced around 1900 from the file of job cards going back to the beginning provide information on serial numbers below 7.55 million. Above that the much more abbreviated information is from the guide produced by the company to allow watch repairmen to order parts. For those serial numbers, the comment is the page number in the guide.

Both of these watches are lower grade 12 size watches produced in large numbers. Their value is mostly sentimental. If someone is going to use the watches they should be cleaned. Otherwise just preserve them.