Waltham Patrician

[ERN]

I have inherited the following watch and cannot find much info on it. It is running. Is it collectible - worth anything?
My first post.. Don't be too critical....Thank you.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Hello and welcome to the NAWCC Forum.

One of members here Jerry Treiman collects and studies the Patritian.

Check out this thread on the subject

https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/waltham-patrician-private-label.64681/

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I think these are really neat watches, but then they are my chosen specialty and I don’t know if others are as excited about them. Generally vintage ladies wristwatches are not that sought after. The Patrician is a 9-ligne Waltham movement that was finished especially for casing by H.W. Matalene (owner of the Patrician trademark). I have seen one other example like this (except the dial was turned so it winds at 12) and both were made in 1913. It has a high-grade, thin, limited production 17 jewel movement with a gold gear train. The other example I have seen has Matalene’s patented setting slide on the edge of the case; sliding the piece away from the crown releases the stem into setting position. Does yours have this? I cannot tell from your pictures.


By 1914 the watch included an integral bracelet.


Congratulations on inheriting a very interesting wristwatch that is certainly worth more than just the gold value.

 

[ERN]

I think these are really neat watches, but then they are my chosen specialty and I don’t know if others are as excited about them. Generally vintage ladies wristwatches are not that sought after. The Patrician is a 9-ligne Waltham movement that was finished especially for casing by H.W. Matalene (owner of the Patrician trademark). I have seen one other example like this (except the dial was turned so it winds at 12) and both were made in 1913. It has a high-grade, thin, limited production 17 jewel movement with a gold gear train. The other example I have seen has Matalene’s patented setting slide on the edge of the case; sliding the piece away from the crown releases the stem into setting position. Does yours have this? I cannot tell from your pictures.
View attachment 630069

By 1914 the watch included an integral bracelet.
View attachment 630070

Congratulations on inheriting a very interesting wristwatch that is certainly worth more than just the gold value.

Thank you so much for your response. I also received several hundred vintage pocket watches and other vintage wrist watches. Certainly a burden to go through. Here are some extra photos of the Patrician.

 

[ERN]

Thank you so much for your response. I also received several hundred vintage pocket watches and other vintage wrist watches. Certainly a burden to go through. Here are some extra photos of the Patrician.

View attachment 630071 View attachment 630072

In looking at the serial number it appears this one was made in 1911? Thanx again...

 

[Jerry Treiman]

In looking at the serial number it appears this one was made in 1911?

ERN - One cannot always rely on the serial number of the movement for dating. Although some Waltham dating charts indicate that an 18-million serial number is from 1911 the special 9-ligne movements appear to not have been finished until 1913. The 1912 patent date in the case requires that the watch is later than April 1912 and the serial number of the Matalene case indicates (based on my research) that this case was most likely made in 1913.

Thank you for the extra pictures that show that not all of his cases at this time used his patent setting feature.

 

[ERN]

Thank you so much for your reply. This forum is an amazing source of information. So glad I found it.
Wish you a wonderful New Year.