Interesting Waltham '72 model Riverside.

[MrRoundel]

Greetings all,

This is a link to a closed 'Bay auction in which I was the first under-bidder. No consolation prize awarded. The watch caught my attention because it was a nickel '72 model Riverside that was jeweled to the center. And the jewel settings in the upper plate were all raised gold settings. Adding to the odd aspects of this movement was the fact that the center-wheel jewel was not held in by screws.

One learns that the OF '72 models have a center jewel that is generally held by two screws. I believe this was necessitated by the shape of the bridges, but I could be wrong. The Riverside in question here has no screws at all. Has anyone out there seen such an animal? Or is it likely, as Jerry T. seems to believe, that it displays custom upgrades, and it may be at least unusual? Despite the fact that it had a broken staff, I think it was a heck of a movement for the price. The person who outbid me made a good move, IMHO. Opinions? Cheers.


Unique '72?

 

[musicguy]

I did have it on my watch list but forgot to bid.


Rob

 

[John Cote]

I agree that it is an interesting movement and well worth the price as an oddity to any Waltham collector or student. My first impression is to agree with Jerry T, as I usually do that this was some sort of custom upgrade, whether an "employee watch" or a later watchmaker upgrade.

I have looked at a bunch of my pictures of 72 American grades and 72 Am'n Grades and even some similar 88s. None of my pix are from exactly the same angle as the photos in this listing but to me, this watch seems to have more conical and sharper edged jewel settings with smaller jewels than any of the examples in my photos. I will admit that it is difficult to say for sure.

Again, I believe with Jerry that someone, some where upgraded this 15j movement to 17 jewels in an interesting way. I wish you had bought it and were holding it in your hand MrRoundel so you you could tell us your first hand opinion.

 

[MrRoundel]

I wish you had bought it and were holding it in your hand MrRoundel so you you could tell us your first hand opinion.

That makes at least two of us. Cheers.

 

[Clint Geller]

I agree it is an interesting piece. When I saw that lot on Ebay, I wondered about the winding wheels as well. They show two concentric bands of decoration, which is more typical of the winding wheels seen on American Watch Company Grade movements. It would be good to know whether this is a 17 jewel movement or only a 16 jewel movement. One would have to remove the dial to know. The seller called it a 15 jewel movement, so he obviously never actually counted the jewels.

 

[John Cote]

I agree it is an interesting piece. When I saw that lot on Ebay, I wondered about the winding wheels as well.

The winding wheels are worth 3 or 4 times as much as the watch sold for....probably a lot more than that.

 

[MrRoundel]

The Woerd's sawtooth balance made it even better, despite it being out of round a bit.




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