Identifying an Authentic Waltham Pocket Watch
For those who are avid pocket watch collectors, the name Waltham is a name with which most are quite familiar with. These pocket watches have been in existence for over 150 years, manufactured between the 1851 and 1957. However, there are a lot of fakes out there claiming to be a Waltham pocket watch.
To protect yourself as a collector or seller, you need to know how to identify an authentic Waltham. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that your is pocket watch within the proud tradition of Waltham.
• What type of pocket do you have? There are three types: There’s pocket watch which has a casing that closes over the face of the pocket watch; the open face, has no cover and winds up at the top of the watch; the final one is the sidewinder, which winds up at the 3 o’clock position and also is without a cover.
• Open up your watch’s back cover and examine it for any identifying names. Waltham pocket watches contain the letters A.W.W.Co., along with Waltham, Mass. Found on the inner side. This will also include what grade of pocket watch it is. For example, if yours is a Riverside, the name Riverside will follow the A.W.W.Co.
• Write down your watch’s serial number, which can be found on the pocket watch movement. This will be useful in authenticating and locating your pocket watch manufacture date.
• Check the internet for a website that lists the dates for Waltham pocket watch production or contact a Waltham expert/dealer. Th serial number is going to be between two of the listed dates. The date that the watch was made is on the earlier of the two dates; the latter is when production ceased on that particular pocket watch.
• If your watch has a cover, examine the inside. If the cover’ s inside has AWco on it, that cover is also a creation of the Waltham company. If a K also appears inside the cover, the case is gold and any number behind the K is how many karats of gold it contains.
Waltham pocket watches are beautiful and classic works of art. They are well-loved and sought after by many a collector. Knowing what to look for will help you to quickly identify the real thing, giving you the thrill of knowing you are, indeed, holding a real treasure.
Note: Because of the large volumes of mail and comments the site receives, we are unable to help everyone with questions unique to their specific pocket watch. However, we try to help. We encourage you to use the Waltham Serial Numbers tool on the NAWCC web site here to find out more about your Waltham watch.
18 Responses to Identifying an Authentic Waltham Pocket Watch
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Welcome!
Welcome to the Pocket Watch Guide! Feel free to check out our site and send your feedback!My name is Danny, and I created this site with the hope to share my passion for collecting, maintaining, and looking at all kinds of pocket watches. Ever since I was young I have loved the look and feel that such a classic timepiece can provide.Seeking Appraisal or Value Information?
The best resource for getting the value of your pocket watch is at the International Society for Appraisers (ISA). They have a "Find an Appraiser" tool (click here) where you can type in your state, or select the USA (or your country) and see a list of nearby appraisers.
The NAWCC also has a great resource for looking up serial numbers. This is particularly useful for finding out the year of your watch. Click here to check it out.
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I have a Waltham pocket watch, & would like to know how you get to the movements to check for a serial number. I would appreciate a suggestion on just how to do this.
Thankyou. Michelle
Does any body know what model of a Philidelphia Waltham Pocket Watch? Serial number 14225807. I already know it was made from 1879 to 1880. Please Help…
i have a waltham pocket watch serial number is 466671 and under the serial number is 07. the watch has two cover one for the crystal and the other on the back side open and has the name of whom ever it was persented too.
the name was (Hector Routhier) the winding steam is at 3 o’clock there is one more marking (fortune with what looks to be a tire with wings.
the face of the watch looks to be porcelian. the porcelian has a very small chip at the top. the jeweler i had redo the watch many ,many years ago in new orleans said it was a fine watch, and a waltham. the only draw back to this watch is the crystal is very very thin and one must take great care not to touch it, for fear of braking the tin crystal.. the case is gold but i think its only gold plated.
is there a chance you could tell me more about this watch what the value might be? and if you think it is gold or just gold filled?
i personelly thought the watch might have been given to a rail road person for service. but being a retired tugboat captain and from new orleans, i have little knowdledge,and after KATRINA wiping me out this is one of the few things i have left. any thing you can tell me will be greatly appricated.
thank you
Sincerely
John W. LoCicero
K4TUG 73
I have a waltham pocket watch serial number 18529841. It has A.W.W.Co. WALTHAM MASS. 15 jewels and the serial number.but the case has Dueber”anchor” Special and a serial number 7631853 on the back cover and just the serial number on the inside front cover. the inside mechanisim cover warranted duber 25years and the serial number is this an authentic Waltham watch
In my possesion I have a Waltham pocket watch solid gold it was my great grandfather’s
he brought it the 1890 & its been in my family ever since
I have an American Waltham pocket watch, serial #6140489. The dial is porcelain with blue hands and a second dial also. The movement has initials FS on it and says safety barrell,along withWaltham WatchCompany.The cover is tri color gold beautiful bird and flowers . Inside the cover is US Assay 14K and #111601 engraved. the rim of the dust cover also has 601 engraved on it. This watch belonged to my great-grandfather. It has not been removed or used in over 30 years and I would like to know where I can take it to be refurbished and appraised, I am afraid to wind it since it hasn’t run in such a long time. Thank you, Vicki
i have a waltham premier capitol transit open face 21 jewel. just wondering the year type and value
Hi Danny
I wonder if you could help.
I have inherited my grandfathers Waltham “Traveler” and was interested in knowing roughly its value. The serial number on the movement is difficult to read but i think it is 12,638,608. It does not have roman numerals so i don’t think it is one of the oldest Walthams. The inner case is engraved with the name Rambler followed by guaranteed 10 years and the number 2051163. It is in perfect working order. Although gold in colour i have been unable to find a hallmark. The outside covers have decorative scrollwork of flowers and leaves. Can you help?
Paul
I have waltham pocket watch from my great grandfather sliver serial #75773 traveler inside #11699049, What is the value.
Hi,
My aunt Bella left me a Waltham pocket watch which has a second hand. The inside of the lid has serial no. Keystone 14K 5215291. The numbers are not numeral and the outside case is scrolled. Please help.
Evelyn
hi , before my dad passed away he gave me an old gold American watch co Waltham 14 k gold pocket watch , I can’t figure how to open it , and it is pretty banged up. The only numbers I see are 1720 . There is also two round holes in the back case that look to be key holes?
Me again , I found the serial number , 1,156614. It also says Wm. Ellery Waltham Mass.
Thank you
I have a walthman pocket watch and need to find out some info about it any suggestions on a web site I can go to anything I need help identifying it!!?
can someone tell me how to open the back of my waltham pocket watch i do not want to destroy it thank you
Hi
I have AACo Mass Traveler sidewinder huntering case pocket watch. Model 1899 Material U
Size 16 plate 3/4 Style HC 7 Jewels Brequet Spring. Any idea what the value is?
Thanks
Hi Bruce,
That’s a model 1883; size 18 with 17 jewels. Hope this helps!
Sorry, we can’t provide valuations on watches. I recommend using the International Society of Appraiser’s “find an appraiser” tool on this site: http://www.isa-appraisers.org/
I have a Waltham silver railroad pocket watch. The serial number is 17990918. It says American Waltham Watch CO. On the inside cover it says Philadelphia Watch Case silverode 909441. There appears to be the date 1885 etched in. The outside cover appears to have an etching of an elk or moose on it. Can you tell me anything significant about this watch. I know it was my great-grandfather’s.