
They had to have a variable maximum of 30 seconds per weekly checkīecause the Waltham pocket watch was the first pocket watch to be mass-produced you would think that there are still many circulating in the market.They had to have bold legible Arabic numerals on the dial.They needed to be adjustable to 5 or more positions.They needed to have an open face case, with the stem at 12 o’clock.For example, "K18" means the case is made out of 18-carat gold.įollowing America’s great train disaster in 1891 which was caused due to a faulty timepiece, Waltham, along with Elgin and Hamilton (two other famous watch producers of the time,) started produced watches to a new set of standards known as the “railroad standard.” To qualify as railroad standard, the watches needed to meet certain criteria:

If there is a "K" with a number, it means that the case is made of gold, with the number indicating how many carats it is. This will indicate that the cover was also made by Waltham.
#WALTHAM POCKET WATCH GOLD SERIAL NUMBER#
If you see that the serial number falls between two dates, the pocket watch was made in an earlier date.įinally, if the pocket watch has a cover, look for "AWco" written on the inside. You can simply go to sites like and search for corresponding years and serial numbers. You don’t need an expert horologist for this one. These numbers can be used to date the watch. Every Waltham pocket watch created after 1852 has a unique serial number engraved.

Riverside Waltham, Mass."Īnother way to identify a Waltham pocket watch is with its serial number. For example, a Riverside grade watch will show "A.W.W.Co. This will also indicate the watch’s grade. A loupe or magnifying glass might be necessary for this one. There are a few ways that you can identify the authenticity of a Waltham pocket watch.įirst, you will need to open the back cover of the watch and look for "A.W.W.Co." and "Waltham, Mass.” in the inner workings of the watch. How Can You Identify A Waltham Pocket Watch ? Can You Still Buy Waltham Pocket Watches?.Did Abraham Lincoln Own A Waltham Pocket Watch?.Which Was The First Ever Waltham Pocket Watch?.How Much Is A Waltham Pocket Watch Worth?.How Can You Identify A Waltham Pocket Watch?.Without further ado, here are 10 facts about Waltham pocket watches you need to know. If you are looking to invest in a timepiece that is both historic and reliable, Waltham pocket watches might be a good option.

Not only did they revolutionize the way watches were built in the mid-1800s, but they were among the first “railroad grade” pocket watches to ever exist. Their precision engineering and craftsmanship put them on the map, competing directly with high-grade pocket watches from Europe that were, at the time, dominating the market. Waltham pocket watches are among the most historic American timepieces money can buy today.
