American Waltham was the first company to produce a watch entirely by machine, tracing its roots back to 1850 with three Massachusetts businessmen who would apply Honoré Blanc's method of gunsmithing in the late 1700s to the American cottage industry of watchmaking - the concept of interchangeable parts. Don't miss out on this 130-year-old survivor from the 1800s.
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American Waltham kept their model assignments simple, naming them after the year in which they debuted, meaning that their Model '83 was first offered to the public in 1883. The design was the foundation for many of the company's named grades, since it was durable, dependable, and easy to service. The Waltham "Gray Book", released in 1954, is the most reliable source of run data available, but even that is loaded with errors, since this 17-jewel example falls into a run that is listed as 15-jewel, a possible upgrade. This pendant-set Grade 15 was just fully restored and comes from the factory with an uncommon flashed-gilt pattern and a full gilt hardware package, including the case screws. The snowy white Roman dial has the correct full two-line signature and nicely blued open-morning-glory hands. The nickel-silver case shows no ghost marks and was converted to display to show off this beautiful movement with covers that thread on easily and NOS glass on both sides.
Manufacturer - Waltham
Serial Number - 5085268
Watch Size - 18
Watch Model - 1883
Watch Grade - 15
Jewel Count - 17
Winding/Setting - Stem/Pendant
Production Year - 1891
Straps are an alternative to chains, which don't grind up the metal bows. Prevent drops with these supple straps, hand-braided from top-grain leather in your choice of colors.
Safely store or display your favorite pieces in a custom wooden cabinet, designed and built to your specifications in your choice of domestic species, finishes, hardware and lighting packages.
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