New Haven Clock Company Little Orphan Annie Character Wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1930s/1940s
This vintage character wristwatch is reported by the source as manufactured by the New Haven Clock Company in the United States, dating from the 1930s or 1940s.
It features a tonneau-shaped metal case described by the seller as stainless steel, paired with a distinct winding crown. The yellow painted dial depicts Harold Gray's comic character Little Orphan Annie in a red dress, signed 'HAROLD GRAY' and 'MADE IN U.S.A.' The dial is completed by black Breguet-style numerals, an outer rectangular minute track, and open syringe-style hands without a seconds hand. The source reports a manual-wind pin-lever movement and notes the watch is fitted with a replacement brown leather strap.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Character wristwatch
- Maker
- New Haven Clock Company
- Case Material
- Stainless steel
- Movement Type
- Manual-wind pin lever movement
- Place recorded
- United States
- Dial Signatures
- Harold Gray and Made in U.S.A.
- Maker / attribution
- New Haven Clock Company
Design
- Visible features
- • Tonneau-shaped metallic case with surface scratches and edge wear • Yellow-toned dial featuring an illustration of Little Orphan Annie in a red dress • Dial inscriptions reading 'HAROLD GRAY' to the right of Annie and 'MADE IN U.S.A' at the bottom • Black Arabic Breguet-style numerals and rectangular railroad minute track • Open syringe-style hour and minute hands; no second hand • Textured crown situated at the 3 o'clock position • Brown textured leather strap attached via spring or fixed lugs
- Dial and Visual Features
- The dial is a painted metal surface featuring an illustration of Little Orphan Annie wearing a red dress and black Mary Jane shoes. Inscriptions on the dial include 'Harold Gray' and 'Made in U.S.A.' The dial layout includes black Breguet-style numerals, a rectangular railroad-style minute track, and syringe-style hour and minute hands. A seconds hand is not present.
- Mechanism and Components
- The watch is described as containing a manual-wind, U.S.-made pin-lever movement. The movement remains internal and is not visible in the provided source imagery. The case includes a textured crown at the 3 o'clock position. The current brown leather strap is identified as a replacement.
- Object Identification and Context
- This vintage character wristwatch is attributed to the New Haven Clock Company. The retailer identifies the subject as a piece featuring the comic character Little Orphan Annie, noting production by the company began in 1937 and dating this example to the 1930s or 1940s. The timepiece features a tonneau-shaped case reported as stainless steel. The listing specifies the case measures approximately 28.5 x 31 mm and indicates the absence of case markings.
Identification
- SKU
- WA-2316
- Reference
- WA-2316
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement is not visible in the photograph; movement specifications rely entirely on seller statements
- Research required: Seller notes the leather strap is a replacement