This watch, which appears to be in good working order, was among my late grandmother's personal effects. I assume it was my grandfather's at one point. My online research shows it be be from some time between 1895-1905ish. I am not familiar with the watchmaker - American Waltham Watch Co., but they appear to be a well-known maker. Is this a collectible/interesting/valuable piece or just a nice reminder of my grandpa?

I have no idea what you have. But it is one really cool looking pocket watch.

Model number 1883 11 jewels, Production date of around May 1894 to Nov 1894 with 287,000 units produced. In working condition as you stated in good to average condition watch is worth around $90.

Nice piece. If it’s real gold there’s Probly more value in the gold than the watch. But since it’s a family piece just tuck it away and wear it for a special occasion.

I have a similar one that was my great grandfathers watch. Id like to get a nice gold chain & fob for it. My mom remembers him wearing it when she was a little girl in the 40s. And it still runs and keeps time. Not for sale ever obviously.

It’s my understanding that Back in the day, usually you went to the jewelry store to buy a watch you bought the movement (from plain to fancy). Then you bought the case separately. Again from plain to fancy. From the same jewelry shop. Then the jeweler put them together and on your way you went. The case makers obviously made mostly the same few standard size cases to match the handful of movement sizes. A few makers like Patek made every bit in house and those are not cheap today.

A nice, Waltham pocket watch from around the turn of the 20th century.

I don't know how much they are worth. I think the Hamilton equivalent is worth a few hundred dollars.

If it is solid gold, the bulk of the value is in the gold.

It should be easy for any watchmaker to tune it up, if it needs it.

quote:

Model number 1883 11 jewels, Production date of around May 1894 to Nov 1894 with 287,000 units produced. In working condition as you stated in good to average condition watch is worth around $90.

Agree except feel that $500 or so is more in line and I don't know watches. Please don't sell your ancestors heritage unless you have to eat.

Waltham was one of the dominant manufacturers of watches at the time, so there are PLENTY of movements out there to cannibalize for parts if need be.

The cases were made by a number of manufacturers, so five of us could get together with watches having the exact same movement and dial, but with completely different case (steels/silver/gold/REALLY heavy gold.)

Getting it cleaned/adjusted/lubricated and the case touched up, if need be, shouldn't be very expensive. If it were mine, with the family history, I'd probably keep it running on a simple stand of some sort as a "desk clock."

Nice looking watch, thanks for posting it.

I have a 1902 Elgin and what is neat to me is that on the back inside cover every jeweler that has worked on it has engraved his name and the date. Love the history of these old watches.