Waltham Chronometer Clock

[Haybayler]

I recently bought this and Waltham miniature clock. It has a serial # 18772371. The mechanism is an 8 day watch. Search comes back to made date of1912 ,size 16, model 1908. I have searched through many photos of this series. I haven't seen any in this type of clock. the dial arrangement is different, also. The large size, 1 7/8 inches, seem similar to the Chronograph, used on ships and automobiles. The old clock needs a lot of restorative work (wish me luck). I had it running (mostly) the first day.
My first question is what is the small dial with the red dot? Possibly an alarm?

 

[Jmeechie]

Hi,
What you have is a miniature banjo produced by Waltham Watch Co and the movement is a 8 day 37 size movement I suspect and not a 16 size movement. The small dial with the red indicator in the hole is a wind indicator function. On the 7th to 8th day of running the red dot will appear in the hole or window indicating it is time to rewind.
These movements were used in travel, miniature shelf/mantle, wall, car, ships/boats and military vehicle/aircraft clocks. They vary in jewel range and if you post a picture of the movement it’ll be easier to determine.
Cheers,
James

 

[Haybayler]

Hi,
What you have is a miniature banjo produced by Waltham Watch Co and the movement is a 8 day 37 size movement I suspect and not a 16 size movement. The small dial with the red indicator in the hole is a wind indicator function. On the 7th to 8th day of running the red dot will appear in the hole or window indicating it is time to rewind.
These movements were used in travel, miniature shelf/mantle, wall, car, ships/boats and military vehicle/aircraft clocks. They vary in jewel range and if you post a picture of the movement it’ll be easier to determine.
Cheers,
James

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the information that you provided. I am uploading a picture of the movement. It is in very good shape. as I mentioned, it is about 1.75 inches wide.
CORRECTION: The movement is 2.75"

 

[richiec]

Sweet damaskeening. 7 jewels, looks to be in really fine shape.

 

[Haybayler]

Sweet damaskeening. 7 jewels, looks to be in really fine shape.

I am an idiot. the movement is 2.75"

 

[Tom McIntyre]

I did a presentation on the myriad uses of the Waltham 37 size. There was also an earlier article that was similar and focussed more on the Boudoir painted dial clocks.

 

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

I recently bought this and Waltham miniature clock. It has a serial # 18772371. The mechanism is an 8 day watch. Search comes back to made date of1912 ,size 16, model 1908. I have searched through many photos of this series. I haven't seen any in this type of clock. the dial arrangement is different, also. The large size, 1 7/8 inches, seem similar to the Chronograph, used on ships and automobiles. The old clock needs a lot of restorative work (wish me luck). I had it running (mostly) the first day.
My first question is what is the small dial with the red dot? Possibly an alarm?

View attachment 673505 View attachment 673506 View attachment 673507 View attachment 673509

Interesting.

Waltham miniature banjos made in approximately the 1st 1/4 of the 20th century or so were fine products.

The quality of the cases is just wonderful. The glasses were hand painted. Here are 2 examples that I currently own:



I suspect that your Waltham miniature banjo was home made using an available Waltham movement. It looks like someone used a photographic post card for the lower "tablet". Quite crude but now without its charms. Beyond the movement, I doubt very much that it is a Waltham product.

RM

 

[Haybayler]

I did a presentation on the myriad uses of the Waltham 37 size. There was also an earlier article that was similar and focussed more on the Boudoir painted dial clocks.
View attachment 673610

Thanks Tom. I need all the help I can get. I have fallen in love with these old clocks.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

Chris Carey's teardown of the 37S movement is also included as a serties of stills. The full video may be available on the Chapter 8 web site.

Foster Campos made a small number of the miniature banjos using Waltham 37 size movement that Pat Caruso modified for front winding. I do not own one, but they looked to me to be better than the Waltham pieces made the same way.

 

[Haybayler]

Chris Carey's teardown of the 37S movement is also included as a serties of stills. The full video may be available on the Chapter 8 web site.

Foster Campos made a small number of the miniature banjos using Waltham 37 size movement that Pat Caruso modified for front winding. I do not own one, but they looked to me to be better than the Waltham pieces made the same way.

Thanks, I will research that. You guys on this forum are Awesome.

 

[Michael Post]

I did a presentation on the myriad uses of the Waltham 37 size. There was also an earlier article that was similar and focussed more on the Boudoir painted dial clocks.
View attachment 673610

Tom, I have a Waltham 37 in a marine chronometer version. Do you know how the movement is accessed? I suspect that this brass case is threaded about half way down and will unscrew but looking for some confirmation before diving in. all this new to me.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

The counterweight has been removed in the picture of the bottom above. Unless the joint is badly corroded, which it does not appear to be, you should be able to grasp it with one hand and unscrew it from the upper piece. This is much easier if you back off the screws that hold it in the gimbals and remove it from the box. You can also just remove the gimbal assembly by releasing the catch on the inside of the case near the lock.

Here is the link to the pdf file in your post. From War to Boudoir

 

[Michael Post]

Worked like a charm, many thx. The back spun right off. I now know that I have #22132499. I see how the counter weight should be properly attached and will be able to put this back correctly. Thank goodness for the Forum.