
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Waltham Octagon14 Karat Pocket Watch Jewel, 1917
- Maker / attribution
- Waltham (maker)
- Date
- 1917
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 5114
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 5114)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Waltham Octagon14 Karat Pocket Watch Jewel (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 5114), this is a pocket watch by Waltham, made in United States, dated 1917. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. The record is illustrated with 4 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
Introducing a timeless piece of horological history, the Waltham Octagon 14 Karat Pocket Watch from 1917, a captivating antique that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of the early 20th century. This exquisite timepiece features a pristine white dial adorned with striking blue hands and a dedicated second dial, exuding a classic charm that is further enhanced by the black Arabic numerals. The watch is encased in a 14K gold case, meticulously etched with the initials “DM” and marked by the serial number 101125, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that defines its construction. At the heart of this pocket watch lies a 17-jewel Waltham movement, boasting a serial number of 21530572 and a grade of 225, indicative of the precision engineering by the renowned American Waltham Watch Co. Though the mechanism is currently non-functional and the timekeeping accuracy remains untested, this watch still holds significant value as a collector’s item. Despite some imperfections, such as cracks around the subdial and a small chip at the 7 o’clock position, this 12S-sized watch, weighing 57.8 grams, remains a testament to the artistry and innovation of its era. Whether as a distinguished addition to a collection or a unique piece of history to admire, this Waltham pocket watch is a remarkable artifact from the United States, crafted in the early 20th century, and offers a glimpse into the timeless allure of vintage timepieces. For sale is a stunning antique Waltham pocket watch with a beautiful white dial. The dial features striking blue hands and a dedicated second dial. The 14K gold case is etched with the initials “DM” and has a serial number of 101125. The black Arabic numerals add a classic touch to the design. This pocket watch houses a 17-jewel Waltham movement with a serial number of 21530572 and a grade of 225. It is estimated to have been produced in the year 1917. The total weight of the watch is 57.8 grams and it is a size 12S. Please note that there are some cracks around the subdial and a small chip on the dial at the 7 o’clock position. Unfortunately, the mechanism does not appear to be working at the moment. The timekeeping accuracy is untested. This antique Waltham pocket watch would make a remarkable addition to any collection, despite its current condition. Creator: American Waltham Watch Co. Case Material: 14k Gold Weight: 57.8 g Place of Origin: United States Period: Early 20th Century Date of Manufacture: 1917 Condition: Fair
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
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
Related records
Pocket Watches · 1910s
Pocket watch by Waltham, United States, 1910s
Suomen Urheilumuseo
Pocket Watches · 1902
Pocket watch by Waltham, United States, 1902
Turun kaupunginmuseo
Instruments · c.1938
Marine chronometer watch no. 30683313 by Waltham
Royal Museums Greenwich
Pocket Watches · 1900
Waltham Classic Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold, Porcelain Dial and Spade, 1900
WatchMuseum.org shop
Pocket Watches · c. 1900
Pocket watch by American Waltham Watch Company, United States, c. 1900
Science Museum Group, London
Pocket Watches · c. 1900
Pocket watch by Robt. H. und Bro. Ingersoll, United States, c. 1900
German Clock Museum
Pocket Watches · 1904
Pocket watch by American Waltham Watch Company and Dennison Watch Case Co, United States, 1904
Science Museum Group, London
Pocket Watches · c. 1905
Pocket watch by Brooklyn Watch Case Co. B. W. C., United States, c. 1905
German Clock Museum
