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Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Floral Engraving, c. 1888 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Floral Engraving, c. 1888

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Waltham (maker)
Date
c. 1888
Country of origin
United States
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 3523
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3523)
Catalogue title (original)
Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Floral Engraving (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 3523), this is a pocket watch by Waltham, made in United States, dated c. 1888. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. 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 back in time with the Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch, a masterfully crafted piece from circa 1888 that embodies the elegance and precision of a bygone era. This vintage treasure, created by the renowned American Waltham Watch Co., is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and timeless beauty. Encased in 14 karat yellow gold, its 46mm round case features intricate floral engravings and opens on both sides to reveal the meticulously detailed inner workings and engravings, including “Made Expressly FOR THE GUILD 62430 ADJUSTED Safety Pinion 15 JEWELS.” The watch face is a harmonious blend of classic design elements, showcasing a round white dial, black Roman Numeral hour markers, Arabic Numeral second markers, and striking blue steel hands, complete with a 60-second sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position. Weighing a substantial 137 grams and measuring 55mm in diameter, this hunter-style mechanical movement watch is both compact and significant, making it a standout piece in any collection. Despite some visible surface scratches and signs of normal wear, this pocket watch remains in very good condition, offering a unique opportunity for watch enthusiasts to own a piece of horological history that exudes sophistication and charm. This vintage Waltham pocket watch crafted from 14 karat yellow gold is a rare find that tells a story of a grand era. The exquisite fine details of this luxury solid gold timepiece are breathtaking. With a 46mm case, a round white dial, black Roman Numeral hour markers and Arabic Numeral second markers, it boasts blue steel hands and a 60-second sub dial at the 6 o’clock position. This hunter-style mechanical movement watch is compact yet substantial with a weight of 137.0 grammes and a diameter of 55mm. The watch opens on both sides, revealing both the watch and engraved timepiece details. The movement is engraved with “Made Expressly FOR THE GUILD 62430 ADJUSTED Safety Pinion 15 JEWELS,” whilst the inner case cover is stamped with “14K 68037,” and the outer case cover is stamped with “C.G. WARRANTED 14K U.S. ASSAY 68037.” The front of the case bears the engraved initials “DJG.” This vintage piece remains in very good condition, with some visible surface scratches on the front and back and normal wear due to age. It is an ideal addition for watch enthusiasts looking to expand their collection with a touch of history and elegance. Creator: American Waltham Watch Co. Case Material: Gold,14k Gold,Yellow Gold Weight: 137 g Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Diameter: 55 mm (2.17 in)Length: 79 mm (3.12 in) Place of Origin: United States Period: 1880-1889 Date of Manufacture: 1888 Condition: Fair

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.

Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre

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