Waltham Sterling Silver Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1898 - 1927
This men's pocket watch by Waltham features a sterling silver case and a 15-jewel movement with a gilded finish. The watch is wound and set via the stem. The silver case includes hallmarks from the city of Birmingham and a stamped maker's mark 'A B', attributed by the source to Alfred Bedford, a manager for the Waltham company who oversaw the procurement of English-made cases to accommodate American Waltham movements for compliance with British standards.
The dial is white with gold spade-style hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position. The reverse side of the case exhibits engine-turned decoration with an open shield design. According to the provided source information, the watch is reported to be in good working condition, with the exterior and movement described as appearing well-maintained and clean.
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
- Mark
- A B
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Maker
- Waltham
- Finish
- Gilded
- Features
- Stem wind / Stem set
- Material
- Sterling Silver
- Movement
- 15 Jewels
- Place recorded
- United States/England
- Hallmark Origin
- Birmingham
- Maker / attribution
- Waltham
Design
- Condition
- The auction description reports the watch to be in a clean and attractive condition. The engine-turned back cover is described as having very little to no visible wear, presenting an appearance close to a new item. There is no documentation regarding recent servicing history or maintenance records. The watch is presented as a functional vintage item consistent with its age and reported state.
- Case and Dial
- The watch features a sterling silver case finished with machine-turned decoration. The reverse of the case is centered with an open shield design surrounded by intricate patterns. The dial is white, featuring bold Roman numeral hour markers and a secondary seconds register located at the six o'clock position. Gold spade-style hands display the time against the white dial. The case is marked with Birmingham hallmarks, which the source suggests correspond to the production period between 1898 and 1927.
- Visible features
- • White dial with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds • Engine-turned back case with a central shield • Gilded movement plates • Birmingham sterling silver hallmarks on case
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a 15-jewel caliber, noted for its characteristic bright gilded finish. The movement is inscribed with the American Watch Co. Waltham Mass signature. The watch is reported by the source to be in a well-running condition. The assembly reflects the practice of fitting American-made Waltham movements into British-manufactured cases to meet local hallmarks and standards.
- Signatures and Provenance
- The case bears an 'A B' hallmark, which is attributed to Alfred Bedford. Bedford served as a manager for the Waltham company, overseeing the integration of English cases with American movements to ensure compliance with British assay standards. The information regarding the date range and the attribution of the 'A B' mark is provided by the seller, Ashton-Blakey Vintage Watches. The current reportage summarizes these specific technical claims without independent verification.
Identification
- Serial number
- 7902608
- 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: Attribution of hallmarks to specific dates 1898 and 1927 requires independent verification
- Research required: Authenticity of the Alfred Bedford 'A B' mark is reported by the seller