Waltham Hillside Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1895
This open-face pocket watch is a size 16 piece produced by the Waltham Watch Company. The watch features a sterling silver case measuring 47mm in diameter, which includes a decorative blank shield on the reverse for engraving purposes.
The white porcelain dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, gold-colored pointers, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position. The internal movement is a Hillside grade, 13-jewel mechanism with a gilded three-quarter plate construction and adjusted regulation. The movement includes screw-down jewel settings and carries the maker's signature. The case was marked by Alfred Bedford, who served as the manager of the London branch for the Waltham Watch Company, and contains Birmingham silver hallmarks dating to 1895.
The auction description reports that the watch maintains accurate timekeeping, although specific details regarding the history of past technical maintenance or internal component conditions are not provided.
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
- Open-face watch
- Grade
- Hillside
- Maker
- Waltham
- Jewels
- 13
- Case Size
- 16
- Case Diameter
- 47mm
- Case Material
- Sterling Silver
- Place recorded
- United States
- Hallmark Location
- Birmingham
- Maker / attribution
- Waltham
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in an open-face sterling silver case that measures 47 millimeters in diameter. The exterior back of the case features a decorative shield area, intentionally left blank to allow for the potential addition of personalized initials. The watch utilizes a white porcelain dial, which carries black-painted Roman numeral hour markers and a secondary dial for seconds, positioned at the six o'clock mark. The hands are gold in color, providing contrast against the white dial face. The case carries hallmark stamps from the Birmingham assay office, identifying the production year as 1895. The production of the case is attributed to Alfred Bedford, the individual who managed the Waltham Watch Company’s branch in London during this period. These markings serve as the primary indicators for both the age and the specific regional origin of the casing.
- Visible features
- • Case features a blank central decorative shield for personalization • White porcelain dial includes a subsidiary seconds register • Movement is a gilded three-quarter plate design • Case carries Birmingham silver hallmarks indicating the year 1895
- Movement and Mechanism
- The internal movement is identified as a Hillside grade caliber, characterized by a gilded three-quarter plate structure. This mechanical movement is configured with 13 jewels, which are secured using screw-down settings. The caliber is reported as being adjusted for precision, and the movement plates bear the manufacturer's signature. The construction reflects the specific technical standards applied to the Hillside grade during the late 19th century. Operational functionality is noted as being good, with the movement providing accurate and smooth timekeeping performance. While the mechanism appears complete based on available documentation, there are no records detailing the history of professional servicing or the current status of internal components, such as springs or escapement parts.
- Provenance and Condition
- The documentation for this watch is derived from materials provided by the seller, Ashton-Blakey Antiques. The information regarding the manufacture, dating, and assembly of the piece rests upon the seller's assessment of the hallmarks and internal movement specifications. The watch is presented as an antique timepiece originating from the Waltham factory, with the case reflecting the specific operational context of the London branch managed by Bedford. Current condition information, including the assessment of timekeeping performance, is supplied by the vendor. This information has not been subject to independent expert verification. There is no specific data available regarding the frequency of past technical interventions or the overall integrity of the watch’s internal wear parts, such as the mainspring, beyond the general reported status of functionality.
Identification
- Serial number
- 6198046
- 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: Historical service records are not available
- Research required: Full extent of component originality remains unverified by independent examination