
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
18ct Gold Enamel “Special” Diamond Grade Pocket Watch Waltham, 1898
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- 1898
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold, enamel, diamond
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 3853
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3853)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 18ct Gold Enamel “Special” Diamond Grade Pocket Watch Waltham (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3853), this is a pocket watch, made in United States, dated 1898. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold, enamel, diamond. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
Step into the opulent world of horological excellence with the 18ct Gold Enamel “Special” Diamond Grade Pocket Watch by Waltham, dating back to 1898. This extraordinary timepiece is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and innovative spirit of the late 19th century, offering a unique blend of luxury and precision. Encased in radiant 18-carat gold, the watch features an intricate enamel design that adds a touch of timeless elegance. Its “Special” designation and diamond-grade movement underscore its superior quality and rarity, making it a coveted collector’s item. With its rich history and stunning aesthetic, this antique Waltham pocket watch is more than just a timekeeper; it’s a piece of art and a slice of history, perfect for those who appreciate the finer things in life. This antique Waltham pocket watch is a truly rare and exquisite timepiece. It is made of 18CT gold and features a stunning red enamel cover, gilt scrolling movement, and intricate diamonds. Only eight of this special grade, diamond-set model are known to exist, making it a truly unique and valuable watch. The pocket watch is a special grade 18CT Gold, hunter pocket watch with a 15-jewel bridge movement, train wheels, a lever escapement, and a micrometre regulator. The movement is decorated with a curved pattern and is signed “Waltham, Mass, Riverside, Adjusted,” with a serial number of 10004234. The high-grade bridge movement is in prime condition and functions perfectly. The case of this watch is exquisitely designed and crafted, with a repoussee classical design on the outer case and scrolling diamond borders around a set of cut diamonds. The inner case features a beautifully painted enamel scene of a cherub holding a garland of flowers and a bow, possibly Cupid. The red enamel cover is a beautiful and unusual addition, making this pocket watch truly unique. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals, outer Arabic five-minute divisions, and a subsidiary seconds dial. The dial is double sunk and has a complete set of spade hands. The dial is signed “Waltham.” The watch measures 30mm wide x 15mm deep, making it a perfect pocket watch size. This Waltham pocket watch is a rare and beautiful piece of history. It is a true collector’s item that would make an excellent addition to any collection. Creator: American Waltham Watch Co. Case Material: Enamel,Gold Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Antique Cushion Cut Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Height: 30 mm (1.19 in)Width: 30 mm (1.19 in)Depth: 15 mm (0.6 in)Diameter: 30 mm (1.19 in)Length: 30 mm (1.19 in) Place of Origin: United States Period: 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 1898 Condition: Good
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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