
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Nouveau Pocket Watch, 1906
- Maker / attribution
- Waltham (maker)
- Date
- 1906
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 1967
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 1967)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Nouveau Pocket Watch (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 1967), this is a pocket watch by Waltham, made in United States, dated 1906. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) 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 exquisite Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Nouveau Pocket Watch, a stunning timepiece from 1906 that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of a bygone era. This luxurious pocket watch, crafted by the renowned Waltham Watch Company, is a testament to American exceptionalism and ingenuity. The intricate Art Nouveau design, characterized by its flowing lines and natural motifs, is beautifully rendered in yellow gold fill, making this watch not only a functional accessory but also a piece of wearable art. Whether you are a collector of antique timepieces or someone who appreciates the fine details of historical craftsmanship, this Waltham pocket watch is sure to captivate and impress. The Waltham Watch Company is a true representation of American exceptionalism and ingenuity. Founded in The Waltham Watch Company is a true representation of American exceptionalism and ingenuity. Founded in 1850, it was the first American company to mass-produce watches using interchangeable parts, which made watches more affordable and accessible to all. Prior to the Waltham Watch Company, watches were produced by hand and only accessible to the wealthy or working class in need. Waltham’s success helped to establish the concept of mass-produced products and promoted the idea of industrialization in America. During the American Civil War, Waltham supplied watches to the military, which bolstered their production and reputation. Their watches were known for their quality and affordability, which helped to make the United States a major player in the global watch market. Waltham’s exhibit at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago was a significant success. Visitors from Switzerland were impressed by Waltham’s methods and purchased some of their higher grade movements. This experience prompted Swiss companies to buy equipment from Waltham to improve the quality and accuracy of their own watches. However, the Waltham Watch Company faced financial difficulties throughout its history. During the 1920s, different departments competed against each other, causing the company to almost go bankrupt. Several restructurings occurred, but in 1957 the company was forced to close its doors. Despite these challenges, Waltham’s legacy lives on. The company’s watches remain highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and their history is an important part of the American manufacturing story. Wearing a vintage Waltham pocket watch today is not only a timeless accessory for all occasions, but also a symbol of American ingenuity and innovation. Creator: Waltham Watch Company Style: Art Nouveau Place of Origin: United States Period: 1900-1909 Date of Manufacture: 1906 Condition: Excellent
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
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