Waltham pocket watches are perhaps the easiest timepieces to date. The American Waltham Watch Company can trace its roots to 1849. Each timepiece has been engraved with a serial number since 1852, starting with number 50. The serial number will pinpoint the year of manufacture but not the exact date. Additionally, Waltham identified each pocket watch’s model name on the movement. Serial numbers to date the watch are only found on movements. The number on the case provides no information.
Place the screw-down Waltham pocket watch face down in the palm of your hand. Locate the seam between the case back and case. Place your fingertips around the edge of the case back. Rotate the case back counterclockwise until the case back is free from the case.
Waltham Serial Database
Use a jar lid grip remover for stubborn screw-down case backs. Never force a case back. If the case back remains immobile, take the timepiece to an expert in pocket watch repair for removal.
Press the crown down on a hunting case Waltham pocket watch, which is a different model from the screw-down version. The depressed crown will release a latch that opens the front cover over the crystal. The depressed crown will also release case back cover. Once the latch is released, open the back cover by placing your fingernail or blunt blade between the back cover and case to pry it open.
Did you scroll all this way to get facts about waltham pocket watch? Well you're in luck, because here they come. Well you're in luck, because here they come. There are 661 waltham pocket watch for sale on Etsy, and they cost $332.55 on average. So to determine when your watch was manufactured, you will need to find where your serial number fits within the range of numbers. Serial number look-up example: Let's say you have a Waltham watch with serial number 21,607,210 as shown in the photo below.
Use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to examine the movement. On one side of the movement is the Waltham name with the model name below it, such as “Santa Fe Route”, “Silveroid”, “American” or another name. On the other side of the movement is a series of numbers ranging from two to eight digits.
Record the number and compare it to the Waltham pocket watch serial number list posted on numerous online pocket watch sites. Expert pocket watch repairpersons and watchmakers also carry the list. If, for example, your Waltham pocket watch is engraved with a serial number between 10,200,000 and 11,099,999 it was manufactured in 1901. A Waltham pocket watch with a serial number 35,000,000 or greater was manufactured in 1957.
Tip
Reputable watch sellers will allow buyers to examine the movements and open the case back for inspection. When shopping for a Waltham pocket watch keep a copy of the serial number list for reference. The case back will only tell the buyer or owner the gold content of the case, such as “18k”.
Date your Waltham Watch by the serial number on the case. Waltham History and production dates here.
Warning
Avoid touching the movement with your fingers. Body oils and dirt could contaminate the movement.
The Waltham Watch Company, which was based in Waltham, Mass., produced pocket and wrist watches between 1850 and 1957. Today, Waltham watches remain highly desirable collectible timepieces. Dating a Waltham is an easy task. The watchmaker kept thorough records of its products. Waltham etched a serial number on every watch movement along with its name and trademark. Unlike other watchmakers, Waltham went the extra step by usually identifying the model of the watch on the movement as well. This information can be used to find the year that the watch was made.
Use a flat blunt blade to pry open the snap case back of a Waltham wrist watch. A lip or notch on the case back can be found at the 6 or 12 o’clock position. If there is no lip, carefully wedge the blade into the seam and lift. The case should pop open.
Carefully examine the case back of a Waltham pocket watch. Pocket watch case backs vary in design and require different methods to open. For hinge back and bezel cases, examine the case back with a jeweler’s loupe or the naked eye for two small hinges on the case back. The hinges are usually at the 6 o’clock position. Pry the case at the opposite end of the case back first with a fingernail. If that doesn’t work use the flat blunt blade. The case should snap open. Hunting cases feature front and back covers. Press down on the crown and a tiny hatch will release the cover.
Use a jeweler’s loupe to examine the movement. Don’t touch the movement with your fingers. At or near the edge of the movement will be a serial number. Digits in the serial number will range from two to eight depending on the year of production. For example, 1856-1857 Waltham pocket watches will have a serial number between 4000 and 6000. A 1957 Waltham watch will have a serial number of 35,000,000 or greater, according to oldwatch.com. Record the serial number from the movement.
Use the jeweler’s loupe to note the “American Watch Co. Waltham”, “AWCO Waltham” or similar trademark. Note the number of jewels etched on the movement. Note and record the model name, such as “Riverside” or another model name on the movement.
Obtain a Waltham serial number list from the numerous online pocket watch sources or from an experienced watchmaker with an expertise in vintage watch identification and repair. The list will provide the year of production, but not the exact date.
Tip
Ignore the inside case back serial number. It provides no information. The inside case back should have the gold content embossed, such as 18k or lesser grade.
Waltham Serial Number Database
Warning
Waltham Serial Numbers
Never force open anything on a vintage pocket or wrist watch. If the case back doesn’t open, have a professional watchmaker open it for you.