I just bought this hunter movement and haven't been able to find much concerning the plate markings. It's a 16 sz model 1888, hunter, 7 jewel. Not a fancy watch. But it's marked:

A.W.W.Co.
Waltham Mass.
Los Americanos
RICLA 79

I know Waltham made some watches/movements for export to Central and South America like the Sol and Cronometro models. This is the auction picture, which isn't the best, but hopefully you can see enough....

The dial is very interesting, too. Although dirty, it is marked:

American
Waltham Watch Co.
Morris Heymann HNO. Y CIA.
Habana

I did some checking and found references to a ships crew member and family that sailed between New York, Havana and Tampico, Mexico from the 1890's through about 1910's.

If anyone has information about the dial markings, please post. Thank you!

I just realized, as the auction has ended, this should be posted under the pocket watch forum, but I don't know how to move it. If someone could tell me how, I would appreciate it.

Mary Ann,

"Hno" would be Hermano = brother, and
"Cia" would be Compañía = Company
"Habana" is, of course, Havana.

Mary Ann,

I moved it for you....interesting watch by the way. Looks like it has some history to it.

Steve

Morris Heymann was born April 13, 1865 in NYNY, his father was Simon Heymann. Here is a photo of Morris from his passport.

This is his wife Regina

Passport page 0ne

Passport page 2

Mary Anne, This is definetely worthy of a restoration. It takes a fitted case and a special winding stem (swiss style stem locking). I can check my stuff to see what I have along those lines, and suggest that check ebay for decent AWC 1888 Hunter case listings regardless of (movement) condition.

This is from Treasury decisions under customs and other laws 1908

Here is another article from Bulletin by US Congress Senate Committee on Finance, Replies to Tariff Inquires 1894

Thank you, Steve, for moving the post for me. And thank you, Mike, for the dial translation. Dave, I will check around for a case to fit. And Tom - thank you for the pictures, passport and trade/tariff info. It seems Mr. Heymann was an astute businessman!

Has anyone any information about the Los Americanos engraved on the plate? And maybe what the RICLA 79 means? The seller said it didn't look like it was added later. When I get it I will post a clearer picture so those more knowledgeable than me maybe can offer additional information.

Thank you everyone!

Mary Ann,
79 Ricla was probably a street address. The Spanish put the street name first. Incidently, the 'y' on your dial is the Spanish word for 'and'.
Tom has really found you some nice biographical information!
Best,
Mike

Do you still have this watch?

This is an 8 year old thread, the author of the thread is no longer a member, sorry.

regards,
bb

Thank you. Reason that I asked is because I am related to this family.

Thank you so much for responding. I had already registered and look forward to reading the posts. I am not a collector but just happened to google the last name of my great-grandfather and this popped up. I was born in Cuba and my parents emigrated to Miami in 1961.The name on the watch happens to be my great-grandfather's business in Havana. He was a New Yorker that established his business in the early 1900s I thought it would be nice to have a watch from the family business and could be passed on to my kids. If you happen to hear of one like this I would appreciate a note.
Jose