Waltham Watch Case Serial Numbers
Including Waltham Watch Serial Numbers and Production Dates
- Waltham Watch Serial Numbers Dates
- Waltham Pocket Watch Case Serial Numbers
- Waltham Watch Case Serial Numbers
- Waltham Pocket Watch Case Serial Numbers
All Waltham pocket watches have a serial number stamped on the movement (the 'works') inside the watch. The serial number can be checked against an online Waltham pocket watch list, which will give the approximate year of manufacture. Waltham pocket watch serial numbers can be accessed by opening the case back. To open a case back determine whether the watch has a screw-down, hunting.
- I am a newbie here, and I need your help identifying approx year of a mens wristwatch. I purchased the wristwatch from a thirft store. The watch is a square face mens watch with leather straps that states Waltham on the front. I removed the back of the case, and it says the following: France, unadjusted, 7 jewels, Waltham Watch co. (There are no serial numbers.).
- Jan 23, 2016 The name was changed to Boston Watch Company in September 1853, and the factory in Waltham, Massachusetts was built in October 1854. The movements produced here serial numbers 1001 - 5000 were signed Dennison, Howard, Davis, C. Parker, and P. The Boston Watch Company failed in 1857 and was sold at auction to Royal E.
- Always input the serial number from the pocket watch movement (the 'guts' of the watch). Never use the serial number from the case or any other part. If the serial number includes a letter, enter it along with the number when using the lookup feature. Many pocket watch case backs screw off. Others may require a dull wide blade to pry or pop the.
- Nov 23, 2012 Waltham Pocket Watches Serial Numbers. Like the Elgin pocket watch the important serial number to look for is the serial number on the movement of the watch. You may also find a number on the case but this is of no relevance when working out the age or grade of your watch.
- The serial number (3097487) allows you to date this watch. This pocket watch was made in 1886. You can find this information on the American Waltham page.
Waltham, Massachusetts
1850 - 1957
The American Waltham watch factory on the banks of the Charles River
The American Waltham Watch Company had its beginnings in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The company was founded by David Davis, Aaron Dennison, and Edward Howard. Their vision was to form a watch company that could produce high-quality watches at a lower cost using interchangeable parts. With financial backing from Samuel Curtis, of small-arms manufacturing fame, the watch production began in 1851, and the first small group of watches were finished in late 1852. The first watches produced went to officials of the company, and it was not until 1853 that the first watches were offered for sale to the public.
Problems were encountered with the new production methods. The company was exploring innovative new ideas in watch manufacturing, such as using jewels, making enamel dials, and producing plates with a high-level of finish which required extensive tooling and resulted in a great financial burden. They also found that even though they were using interchangeable parts, each watch was still unique and had its own set of errors to be corrected. It took months to adjust the watches to the point where they were any better than other widely available timepieces.
In 1853, the factory building was completed and the company began doing business under the name 'American Horologe Company.' The name was changed to 'Boston Watch Company' in September 1853, and the factory in Waltham, Massachusetts was built in October 1854. The movements produced here (serial numbers 1001 - 5000) were signed 'Dennison, Howard,& Davis,' 'C. T. Parker,' and 'P. S. Bartlett.'
The company went through a series of financial reorganizations and renamings over the next decades. The Boston Watch Company failed in 1857 and was sold at auction to Royal E. Robbins. It was reorganized as 'Tracy, Baker & Co.' and later that same year the name was again changed to 'Appleton, Tracy & Co' and watches 5001 - 14,000 were produced. The first movements carried the Appleton, Tracy & Co. marking. The C. T. Parker movement was reintroduced as the model 1857 and sold for $12, no small amount in those days!
Waltham During the Civil War Years
In January, 1859 the Waltham Improvement Co. and the Appleton, Tracy & Co. merged to form the 'American Watch Company.'
The dial department of the Waltham Watch factory.
In 1860, as Abraham Lincoln was elected President and the country found itself in the throes of the Civil War, the American Watch Company was faced with serious financial problems. By 1861, business had come to a standstill and bankruptcy seemed inevitable. The factory was kept in operation through these years by cutting expenses to the lowest possible level.. a strategy that proved successful.
Waltham Watch Serial Numbers Dates
According to the biography by Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln owned and carried a Waltham 'Wm. Ellery' watch. The watch was an 11-jewel, 18 size, key-wind in a silver hunter case, and was produced in January of 1863.
In 1885, the company became the 'American Waltham Watch Company'. In 1865 prices for movements only (no case) were: William Ellery $13, P. S. Bartlett $16, Bartlett-Ladies $30, Appleton Tracy $38, A. T. & Co Ladies $40, and American Watch Grade $175!
In 1906 the company was renamed the 'Waltham Watch Company'. In 1923, they became the 'Waltham Watch and Clock Company' reflecting the new importance of clock manufacturing, but then in 1925 the name was changed back to 'Waltham Watch Company'.
American Horology owes much to the brilliant visionaries of the Waltham Watch Company. Bacon, Church, Dennison, Fogg, Howard, Marsh, Webster, and Woerd all contributed greatly to American watchmaking.
Waltham continued to manufacture watches (and clocks) until 1957, when they ceased production and became the Waltham Precision Instrument Company. The rights to the name 'Waltham Watch Company' were sold to the Hallmark Watch Company of Chicago, Illinois who continued to sell imported watches using the Waltham name. Several of the original Waltham factory buildings are still standing, and were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Waltham Named Grades
In addition to using grade numbers, Waltham also used many grade names on their watches, often choosing the names of Board members, company investors, or other prominent individuals. The grade name basically designates the model and/or level of finish of the watch. Some of the more popular Waltham named grades were:
P. S. Bartlett, Appleton Tracy & Co., William Ellery, Crescent Street, Colonial, Riverside, Central Park, Broadway, Royal E. Robbins, Vanguard, Bond Street, Sterling, Premier, Royal, and Maximus.
Waltham Pocket Watch Case Serial Numbers
Modern Waltham Watches
It is still possible to purchase modern quartz watches that bear the Waltham name, but these watches are unrelated to the 'genuine' American Waltham Watch Company. In fact, a 1961 ruling by the Federal Trade Commission prohibited any inference that a relationship to the original Waltham Watch Company exists.
The bustling traffic outside the Waltham Watch factory at noon
American Waltham Watch Company
Total Production: Approx. 35 Million Watches
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1852 | 50 |
| 1853 | 400 |
| 1854 | 1000 |
| 1855 | 2500 |
| 1856 | 4000 |
| 1857 | 6000 |
| 1858 | 10,000 |
| 1859 | 15,000 |
| 1860 | 20,000 |
| 1861 | 30,000 |
| 1862 | 45,000 |
| 1863 | 65,000 |
| 1864 | 110,000 |
| 1865 | 180,000 |
| 1866 | 260,000 |
| 1867 | 330,000 |
| 1868 | 410,000 |
| 1869 | 460,000 |
| 1870 | 500,000 |
| 1871 | 540,000 |
| 1872 | 590,000 |
| 1873 | 680,000 |
| 1874 | 730,000 |
| 1875 | 810,000 |
| 1876 | 910,000 |
| 1877 | 1,000,000 |
| 1878 | 1,150,000 |
| 1879 | 1,350,000 |
| 1880 | 1,500,000 |
| 1881 | 1,670,000 |
| 1882 | 1,835,000 |
| 1883 | 2,000,000 |
| 1884 | 2,350,000 |
| 1885 | 2,650,000 |
| 1886 | 3,000,000 |
| 1887 | 3,400,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 3,800,000 |
| 1889 | 4,200,000 |
| 1890 | 4,700,000 |
| 1891 | 5,200,000 |
| 1892 | 5,800,000 |
| 1893 | 6,300,000 |
| 1894 | 6,700,000 |
| 1895 | 7,100,000 |
| 1896 | 7,450,000 |
| 1897 | 8,100,000 |
| 1898 | 8,400,000 |
| 1899 | 9,000,000 |
| 1900 | 9,500,000 |
| 1901 | 10,200,000 |
| 1902 | 11,100,000 |
| 1903 | 12,100,000 |
| 1904 | 13,500,000 |
| 1905 | 14,300,000 |
| 1906 | 14,700,000 |
| 1907 | 15,500,000 |
| 1908 | 16,400,000 |
| 1909 | 17,600,000 |
| 1910 | 17,900,000 |
| 1911 | 18,100,000 |
| 1912 | 18,200,000 |
| 1913 | 18,900,000 |
| 1914 | 19,500,000 |
| 1915 | 20,000,000 |
| 1916 | 20,500,000 |
| 1917 | 20,900,000 |
| 1918 | 21,800,000 |
| 1919 | 22,500,000 |
| 1920 | 23,400,000 |
| 1921 | 23,900,000 |
| 1922 | 24,100,000 |
| 1923 | 24,300,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1924 | 24,550,000 |
| 1925 | 24,800,000 |
| 1926 | 25,200,000 |
| 1927 | 26,100,000 |
| 1928 | 26,400,000 |
| 1929 | 26,900,000 |
| 1930 | 27,100,000 |
| 1931 | 27,300,000 |
| 1932 | 27,550,000 |
| 1933 | 27,750,000 |
| 1934 | 28,100,000 |
| 1935 | 28,600,000 |
| 1936 | 29,100,000 |
| 1937 | 29,400,000 |
| 1938 | 29,750,000 |
| 1939 | 30,050,000 |
| 1940 | 30,250,000 |
| 1941 | 30,750,000 |
| 1942 | 31,050,000 |
| 1943 | 31,400,000 |
| 1944 | 31,700,000 |
| 1945 | 32,100,000 |
| 1946 | 32,350,000 |
| 1947 | 32,750,000 |
| 1948 | 33,100,000 |
| 1949 | 33,500,000 |
| 1950 | 33,560,000 |
| 1951 | 33,600,000 |
| 1952 | 33,700,000 |
| 1953 | 33,800,000 |
| 1954 | 34,100,000 |
| 1955 | 34,450,000 |
| 1956 | 34,700,000 |
| 1957 | 35,000,000 |
| - | - |
| - | - |
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement (the works) of the watch. Do not use the serial number from the watch case.
Can’t find your serial number in the table? Click here for an explanation and example of how to use our serial number tables.
Need help finding the serial number on your watch? Click here for instructions on how to identify and open most common case types.
At Renaissance Watch Repair, we are experts in the repair and restoration of antique watches made by the American Waltham Watch Company. Please contact us if you have any questions about the repair of your vintage Waltham watch.
Dennison Star Case, Serial Number 920032. 154.64; More items related to waltham serial numbers. New listing CIRCA 1909 AMERICAN WALTHAM 12s.
Describes the evolution of the American Waltham Watch Company from its Waltham Watch Serial Numbers and to Waltham Watch Company. American.
Massachusetts have been preserved as the American Waltham Watch Company Historic a database of Waltham serial numbers, 1 and case existing watch.
How to Use our Vintage Watch Serial Number Date Use the movement serial number. Do NOT use the case EXAMPLE SERIAL NUMBER LOOK-UP: American Waltham.
The data shown is a combination of information from the Waltham handwritten ledgers and the printed serial number watch mechanism and not the one on the case.
Serial Number
Including Waltham Serial Numbers and Production Dates
The American Waltham watch factory on the banks of the Charles River
Click here to view additional historical photos of the Waltham factory.
The American Waltham Watch Company had its beginnings in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The company was founded by David Davis, Aaron Dennison, and Mr. Howard. Their vision was to form a watch company that could produce high-quality watches at a lower cost using interchangeable parts. With financial backing from Samuel Curtis, the first watches were made in 1850, but problems were encountered. They were exploring new ideas in watch manufacturing, such as using jewels, making dials, and producing plates with a high-level of finish which required extensive tooling and resulted in great financial burden on the company. They also found that even though they were using interchangeable parts, each watch was still unique and had its own set of errors to be corrected. It took months to adjust the watches to the point where they were any better than other widely available timepieces.
Customer Department at the Waltham Watch Company
In 1851, the factory building was completed and the company began doing business under the name American Horology Company. The first watches produced went to officials of the company, and it was not until 1853 that the first watches were offered for sale to the public. The name was changed to Boston Watch Company in September 1853, and the factory in Waltham, Massachusetts was built in October 1854. The movements produced here serial numbers 1001 - 5000 were signed Dennison, Howard, Davis, C. T. Parker, and P. S. Bartlett.
The Boston Watch Company failed in 1857 and was sold at auction to Royal E. Robbins. It was reorganized as Appleton, Tracy Co. and watches 5001 - 14,000 were produced. The first movements carried the Appleton, Tracy Co. marking. The C. T. Parker movement was reintroduced as the model 1857 and sold for 12, no small amount in those days. In January, 1859 the Waltham Improvement Co. and the Appleton, Tracy Co. merged to form the American Watch Company.
The dial department of the Waltham Watch factory. Dungeon crawl classics pdf free 2017.
In 1860, as Abraham Lincoln was elected President and the country found itself in the throes of the Civil War, the American Watch Company was faced with serious financial problems. By 1861, business had come to a standstill and bankruptcy seemed inevitable. The factory was kept in operation through these years by cutting expenses to the lowest possible level a strategy that proved successful.
According to the biography by Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln owned and carried a Waltham Wm. Ellery watch. The watch was an 11-jewel, 18 size, key-wind in a silver hunter case, and was produced in January of 1863.
In 1865 prices for movements only no case were: William Ellery 13, P. S. Bartlett 16, Bartlett-Ladies 30, Appleton Tracy 38, A. T. Co Ladies 40, and American Watch Grade 175.
American Horology owes much to the brilliant visionaries of the Waltham Watch Company. Bacon, Church, Dennison, Fogg, Howard, Marsh, Webster, and Woerd all contributed greatly to American watchmaking.
Waltham continued to manufacture watches and clocks until 1957, when they ceased production and became the Waltham Precision Instrument Company. The rights to the name Waltham Watch Company were sold to the Hallmark Watch Company of Chicago, Illinois who continued to sell imported watches using the Waltham name.
In addition to using grade numbers, Waltham also used many grade names on their watches, often choosing the names of Board members, company investors, or other prominent individuals. The grade name basically designates the model and/or level of finish of the watch. Some of the more popular Waltham named grades were:
P. S. Bartlett, Appleton Tracy Co., William Ellery, Crescent Street, Colonial, Riverside, Central Park, Broadway, Royal E. Robbins, Vanguard, Bond Street, Sterling, Premier, Royal, and Maximus.
It is still possible to purchase modern quartz watches that bear the Waltham name, but these watches are unrelated to the genuine American Waltham Watch Company. In fact, a 1961 ruling by the Federal Trade Commission prohibited any inference that a relationship to the original Waltham Watch Company exists.
The bustling traffic outside the Waltham Watch factory at noon
American Waltham Watch Company
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement the works of the watch. Do not use the serial number from the case.
Can t find your serial number in the table. Click here for an explanation and example of how to use our serial number tables.
Need help finding the serial number on your watch. Click here for instructions on how to identify and open most common case types.
At Renaissance Watch Repair, we are experts in the repair and restoration of antique watches made by the American Waltham Watch Company. Please contact us if you have any questions about the repair of your vintage Waltham watch.
Waltham Watch Case Serial Numbers
Find best value and selection for your 1894 1895 Waltham Pocket Watches NEW KEYSTONE CASES Serial Watches NEW KEYSTONE CASES Serial Number American Waltham.
The data shown is a combination of information from the Waltham handwritten ledgers and the printed serial number list the Gray Book.
Waltham Pocket Watch Case Serial Numbers
Gray book information is highlighted in silver gray. Be sure to enter the number
found on the watch mechanism and not the one on the case. This database only
lists information on watch movements, not cases.
To enter observations click on the Model link. To see what the abbreviations
History, Serial Numbers & Production Dates