My Maximus Collection

[netsch20]

So I recently posted my Opera Maximus Diamond (see it here), and figured I should post the rest of the Maximus' I have.

First, a hunting Riverside 19j 0s which is unfortunately not working and, as you can see, the crystal is broken. # 16054030




Another 19j, 0s but an open face configuration, and in much better (working) condition. # 17138967


Lastly, a Colonial A model, 14s and 21j in a J. Depollier 14k case. # 20049867


Edit: Apparently I have another one: this 23j Riverside, which according to pocketwatchdatabase.com is a 14s (though a note there mentions the movement being based on a 12s), though it seems by my measurement to be a 10s at ~36 mm. Not sure what that's about.

 

[DTSPatrick]

Always a fan of seeing some Maximi

 

[Jerry Treiman]

... and figured I should post the rest of the Maximus' I have.

For Waltham collectors (or, for that matter, collectors of all American watches) the Maximus has a special place. This label marked Waltham’s top regular production watch model and they are plentiful enough that anyone should be able to own at least one. You have made a nice “start”. I say it this way because, like the “Riverside” grade below it, Waltham made the Maximus in many sizes (10), models (~14) and variants (open-face or hunting, plate style, jeweling). I may have missed some, but this is the list I have compiled:

size........model.........variants
10-ligne
6/0........1898
6/0........1912
3/0........1900...........OF/Htg
0...........1891
0...........1900...........OF/Htg
6...........1890
10........Colonial-A.....21j/23j
14........Colonial-A
12..........1894...........OF/Htg; 21j/23j; 3/4-plate or bridge
Colonial Series.........OF/Htg
16..........1888...........OF/Htg
16..........1899...........OF/Htg; 21j/23j
16..........1908...........OF/Htg; WI
16..........1911....Premier Maximus

Highest production (not considering variants) would be the 16-size 1899 model and the 12-size 1894 model. Lowest production (not considering variants) is the 6-size 1890 model (500 made).

Happy Hunting!

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Apparently I have another one: this 23j Riverside, which according to pocketwatchdatabase.com is a 14s (though a note there mentions the movement being based on a 12s), though it seems by my measurement to be a 10s at ~36 mm. Not sure what that's about.

This is a "Colonial Series" movement. This series, or model, is based on the 12-size 1894 model, so the back measures about 10-size, but the pillar plate (the dial side) measures 14-size. With the oversize pillar plate these take a special case and were always cased at the factory.

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

Jerry, thank you for your very helpful list. I am not the sort of collector who must have every variant of a give make or model, but I do find it interesting to see how complete or incomplete my Maximus collection is. That's why I added a column to your table showing the 10 Maximus variants in my collection. I did not include Riverside A models that did not say "Maximus" on the movement. They are probably the equal of Maximus movements, but you don't consider them to be a Maximus model, do you?

 

[johnbscott]

The 16s 1899 Model Maximus movements (in which I have specialised) can be either PS or LS, whether OF or HC. This applies to all such movements that have 23J. I have two 21J 1899 Model OF RMs that are PS but I am not certain as to whether 21J LS versions existed. I cannot speak for the other models of Maximus.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Thanks, John, for calling out the lever set variety for the 16-size models.

My first Riverside Maximus was an open-face 1899-model 16-size, 23-jewel lever set model in a nickel re-case. That was back in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s. I quickly discovered that the 16-size Maximus were in demand and pricey (pre-eBay), and as a result that is my only 16-size model. However, collectors were ignoring the smaller versions so that is where I made my focus and managed to pick up other examples over the years.

Currently I have an example of every size, except for the 3/0 (although my OF 0-size 1900 model was cut down to 3/0 in the same manner they were made at the factory). I have examples of 10 of the 14 or so models (mainly lacking the other 16-size models).

Ethan - if your Riverside-A is marked Riverside it would not be a Maximus, even if it is up-jeweled to 21 jewels. The Maximus still should be distinguished by a) serial number listing, b) gold gear train, c) diamond cap jewel at the escape wheel. The Colonial-A models (and the smallest models - 10-ligne & 6/0) are only marked with the Maximus name, without the “Riverside”. There are examples of Maximus-A movements that were not marked, such as this one, but it is in the serial number records as a Maximus and has all of the proper finish characteristics.

 

[Maximus Man]

For Waltham collectors (or, for that matter, collectors of all American watches) the Maximus has a special place. This label marked Waltham’s top regular production watch model and they are plentiful enough that anyone should be able to own at least one. You have made a nice “start”. I say it this way because, like the “Riverside” grade below it, Waltham made the Maximus in many sizes (10), models (~14) and variants (open-face or hunting, plate style, jeweling). I may have missed some, but this is the list I have compiled:

size........model.........variants
10-ligne
6/0........1898
6/0........1912
3/0........1900...........OF/Htg
0...........1891
0...........1900...........OF/Htg
6...........1890
10........Colonial-A.....21j/23j
14........Colonial-A
12..........1894...........OF/Htg; 21j/23j; 3/4-plate or bridge
Colonial Series.........OF/Htg
16..........1888...........OF/Htg
16..........1899...........OF/Htg; 21j/23j
16..........1908...........OF/Htg; WI
16..........1911....Premier Maximus

Highest production (not considering variants) would be the 16-size 1899 model and the 12-size 1894 model. Lowest production (not considering variants) is the 6-size 1890 model (500 made).

Happy Hunting!

Do not forget the run of 100 1899 16s WIs

 

[Jerry Treiman]

As indicated in post #3 there are a great variety of Maximus' one could have. I thought I would pose the question and challenge of showing your one favorite Maximus from your own collection. As soon as I formulated this question I realized that for me it is indeed a challenge as I could claim several favorites. However, after much thought I chose this, my first 12-size Riverside Maximus. This was my second Maximus, bought shortly after my 16-size lever set model mentioned above in the late '60s or early '70s. It came from a Los Angeles pawn shop and cost me $37.10. As found it had a generic Waltham dial and a later gold-filled case. With time I was able to find a proper dial and a fine gold swing-ring case (the case from a contemporary but lower grade Waltham). This movement is the earlier 3/4-plate 21-jewel variant (1700 made in OF) and this serial number block seems to have had particularly nice damaskeening and three visible diamond endstones. (There is one more diamond endstone under the dial, at the balance wheel).

 

[johnbscott]

Like you, Jerry, I have had difficulty in choosing but here is 16s 15044566 which would come close.

 

[rrwatch]

Here is a pendant set Model 1899 Riverside Maximus marked "Non-Magnetic", S/N 14,049,399. I believe that these were a single run of 50 movements, 14,049,351 - 14,049,400.

 

[musicguy]

I only have two currently a 0s 19j(which I gave to my 89 yr old mother) and a 12s 21j so picking a favorite is
probably impossible. Here is my 12s which I've shown before but
never get tired of posting. It's not as fancy as the ones above but
does fit in my collection very nicely.




Rob

 

[DTSPatrick]

For rarity sake I have to pick my 6s Maximus. I still have to find a new pair of shoes for it as it’s in a crescent GF case.

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

We think alike, DTSPatrick. Here's my 6-size R.M. after I recased it in a pretty M.F. & Co. multi-color 14k case with diamonds. It had been recased in a ygf Keystone J. Boss case when I bought it. The M.F. & Co. case had housed a lesser movement (I no longer recall what it was). I am not sure what M.F. & Co. was. Perhaps it was Marshall Field & Co.

 

[rrwatch]

A Model 1908 RM with a Lossier Terminal hairspring, lever set and a winding indicator. The Lossier movements were marked :"Adjusted to 6 Positions"


.

 

[netsch20]

I guess I'll just post my Diamond Opera here too as long as we're mentioning favorites and I do just really enjoy the opera case look, just a joy to look at. (Also it's fun since it's rare but that's not the main reason I like it )

 

[Joe Blossic]

I thought I would pose the question and challenge of showing your one favorite Maximus from your own collection.

Jerry, unfortunately it is not a challenge for me, for it is unfortunate that I only have one
M88

 

[richiec]

Joe, I would love that 1888 any day of the week.

 

[DTSPatrick]

A Model 1908 RM with a Lossier Terminal hairspring, lever set and a winding indicator. The Lossier movements were marked :"Adjusted to 6 Positions"

I have a 16s RM with Lossier Hairspring marked... is this an upgrade? Is it more scarce?

Jealous of the wind indicator — first one I’ve seen. Is that the typical dial?

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Jerry, unfortunately it is not a challenge for me, for it is unfortunate that I only have one
M88

If you can only have one, you can't go wrong with that example!

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Lowest production (not considering variants) is the 6-size 1890 model (500 made).

For rarity sake I have to pick my 6s Maximus.

We think alike, DTSPatrick. Here's my 6-size R.M.

With the low production quantity of this model it took me quite a while to find mine at a price I was comfortable with (and I had to keep re-adjusting my comfort level until I finally bought one ). Among the examples I have recorded, 10 have Roman numeral dials and 6 have Arabic numerals.

 

[miguel angel cladera]

Here its mine from english market in a Dennison case and three visible diamonds endstones. Serial number 10049770, model 1899, pendant set. Really love this watch!! I wrote my impressions here.

Waltham Riverside Maximus

Si bien en diferentes entradas de nuestro rincón dedicado a los relojes ferroviarios y de bolsillo hemos visto como muchos joyeros norteamericanos importaban relojes europeos (de Gran Bretaña y suiza)…

www.safonagastrocrono.club

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

Miguel, great article on Walthams exported to Europe. I love the forum on which you posted it: SaFonaGastroCrono "Watches and gastronomy. Born in Mallorca, open to the world." As much as I enjoy watches, I like great food even more, and I love Mallorca. I have fond memories of staying at La Residencia in Deia and spending a day walking from there to Port de Soller.

 

[musicguy]

As much as I enjoy watches, I like great food even more

Ethan,
Yeah that is a tough call good food and good watches. Luckily we can have
some of both.


Rob

 

[miguel angel cladera]

Miguel, great article on Walthams exported to Europe. I love the forum on which you posted it: SaFonaGastroCrono "Watches and gastronomy. Born in Mallorca, open to the world." As much as I enjoy watches, I like great food even more, and I love Mallorca. I have fond memories of staying at La Residencia in Deia and spending a day walking from there to Port de Soller.

Thank you so much Ethan for your kindly words . Yes, "la Residencia" its a very especial place!! I did it the same walking and there are so nice views. I live in Palma de Mallorca.

 

[miguel angel cladera]

Ethan,
Yeah that is a tough call good food and good watches. Luckily we can have
some of both.


Rob

Yes we are lucky!! in the actual situation... Not easy...

 

[rrwatch]

I have a 16s RM with Lossier Hairspring marked... is this an upgrade? Is it more scarce?

Jealous of the wind indicator — first one I’ve seen. Is that the typical dial?

 

[rrwatch]

The Waltham run 23,100,001 - 23,100,200 appears to be all Wind Indicators, marked "Adjusted to 6 Positions", with marked "Lossier" hairsprings, mostly (but not entirely) lever set, all with WI dials marked "Waltham" in block letters. I do not recall ever seeing a WI dial with the Waltham in RM script, but you never say never.
Kent Singer and I have 20 examples in this run in our database, but not all have all the data listed above..

 

[netsch20]

The Waltham run 23,100,001 - 23,100,200 appears to be all Wind Indicators, marked "Adjusted to 6 Positions", with marked "Lossier" hairsprings, mostly (but not entirely) lever set, all with WI dials marked "Waltham" in block letters. I do not recall ever seeing a WI dial with the Waltham in RM script, but you never say never.
Kent Singer and I have 20 examples in this run in our database, but not all have all the data listed above..

The content of your comment is very interesting in its own right, but I just want to mention that the first "w" in "www" in your signature is still colored gray unlike the rest of the link, if you want to change that, if only for the sake of OCD

 

[Maximus Man]

The Waltham run 23,100,001 - 23,100,200 appears to be all Wind Indicators, marked "Adjusted to 6 Positions", with marked "Lossier" hairsprings, mostly (but not entirely) lever set, all with WI dials marked "Waltham" in block letters. I do not recall ever seeing a WI dial with the Waltham in RM script, but you never say never.
Kent Singer and I have 20 examples in this run in our database, but not all have all the data listed above..

You say, "...mostly, but not entirely lever set". Are you aware of an 1908 Riverside Maximus WI that is pendent set?
There have been some 1908 RM WIs that do not fall within that serial number run.

 

[Maximus Man]

Not all 1908 WIs are marked 6 POSITION. I know of two marked 5 POSITION with consecutive serial numbers early in that run. Some of the 08 RMax WIs were finished with Vanguard parts when Waltham closed.

 

[rrwatch]

You say, "...mostly, but not entirely lever set". Are you aware of an 1908 Riverside Maximus WI that is pendent set?
There have been some 1908 RM WIs that do not fall within that serial number run.

In the database than Kent & I maintain we have 23,100,110 and 152 recorded as being pendant set, but could have been listed or recorded in error. We do not have any examples in this run listed as being A5P, rather than A6P.

 

[Maximus Man]

In the database than Kent & I maintain we have 23,100,110 and 152 recorded as being pendant set, but could have been listed or recorded in error. We do not have any examples in this run listed as being A5P, rather than A6P.

I am pretty sure that Riverside Maximus wind indicators are all lever set given that they are RR approved. Maybe we are not talking apples to apples. I have four, examined another dozen or so, and they are all LS. Premier Maximus are PS.

 

[Maximus Man]

In the database than Kent & I maintain we have 23,100,110 and 152 recorded as being pendant set, but could have been listed or recorded in error. We do not have any examples in this run listed as being A5P, rather than A6P.

Somewhere I have pictures of the two consecutive 1908 Maximus WIs. They both once belonged to a very well known collector and Waltham researcher. (not sure if it is PC to give his name here). 5 POSITION Maximus marked watches are very hard to find. Many of them were plugged to 6.