mountainplayer
Hero Member
Hi All,
Went out today with my good friend, Gold Nuggets. Its been a year since we last got together, and we always have a great time.
We hit a spot that has quite a bit of history, mainly associated with railroad activity. My second dig of the day turned up this incredible Waltham pocket watch. I still can't believe the condition. I've done a bit of research, and believe this to possibly be one of Walthams Railroad Standard watches, built to a specification from the railroad companies originating in the early 1890's (the standard, not necessarily the watch). My own research has turned up a ton of similar models, but nothing that matches exactly (mainly the style of the numbers and the shape of the crown). Any help on dating this thing would be greatly appreciated. The case is 2.277" in diameter...not sure if this makes it a size 16 or 18.
Gold Nuggets: Great hunting with you again. One of these days I'm going to take you a spot where you have a chance of passing your coil over silver.
MP
UPDATE: After about a million coats of penetrating oil, I managed to unscrew the bezel and get the watch open. The funny thing is that I was on the phone with Gold Nuggets about 20 minutes earlier, telling him I thought the watch was probably 1950's because of the condition, and that if I never got it open, I would at least have a tiny hope that it might be older.
The serial number (14585814) puts its manufacture at 1905-1906. The Waltham collector sites say its a Model 1883, Grade 825, 17 Jewel, Size 18. All I know is that its one of my favorite finds. I can't believe the condition. Other than a bit of rust, I bet the thing would work if I wound it.
See new pics.
Went out today with my good friend, Gold Nuggets. Its been a year since we last got together, and we always have a great time.
We hit a spot that has quite a bit of history, mainly associated with railroad activity. My second dig of the day turned up this incredible Waltham pocket watch. I still can't believe the condition. I've done a bit of research, and believe this to possibly be one of Walthams Railroad Standard watches, built to a specification from the railroad companies originating in the early 1890's (the standard, not necessarily the watch). My own research has turned up a ton of similar models, but nothing that matches exactly (mainly the style of the numbers and the shape of the crown). Any help on dating this thing would be greatly appreciated. The case is 2.277" in diameter...not sure if this makes it a size 16 or 18.
Gold Nuggets: Great hunting with you again. One of these days I'm going to take you a spot where you have a chance of passing your coil over silver.
MP
UPDATE: After about a million coats of penetrating oil, I managed to unscrew the bezel and get the watch open. The funny thing is that I was on the phone with Gold Nuggets about 20 minutes earlier, telling him I thought the watch was probably 1950's because of the condition, and that if I never got it open, I would at least have a tiny hope that it might be older.
The serial number (14585814) puts its manufacture at 1905-1906. The Waltham collector sites say its a Model 1883, Grade 825, 17 Jewel, Size 18. All I know is that its one of my favorite finds. I can't believe the condition. Other than a bit of rust, I bet the thing would work if I wound it.
See new pics.
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