Internet Horology Club 185
American ( Waltham ) M# 1859

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/1031006622

January 09, 2007, 22:07
Douglas J. Lynn
American ( Waltham ) M# 1859
Thought I would share my m#1859 and maybe learn something new about it ...what I do know:the m#1859 was the first all new model made by Waltham (American) (the m#1857 being included with the Boston and appleton tracy watch co's ) this watch was made in Dec. 1862 and is key wind key set from the back




Douglas
January 09, 2007, 22:14
Douglas J. Lynn
the works !




Douglas
January 10, 2007, 01:18
Cort Moore
Douglas, That is a really nice find! It may take a minor miracle to find an original case but, even finding the innards for one is a tough job.

I've been looking for watches for over 20 years but I have never had an opportunity to own, or even examine, one of these. Thank you for posting the pic and, congratulations!

I believe your dial has the earmarks of having been painted by John T. Gold,(or someone mentored by him),who may be credited as America's 3rd or 4th enamel dialmaker and was employed by Waltham(and Howard) in that year (1862). One of the hallmarks of his dials are the diamond marks at 3,6,9 and 12. This would seem a common characteristic to early American dials of several companies but, I contend that Gold, who made the first successful enamel dials at Warren, Howard,Waltham,Marion,Newark,Tremont etc.,etc. is largely responsible for bringing this style to the U.S.. His dad is credited as the earliest known enamel dialmaker in the U.S.(service advertised in 1838!).

-Cort
<(';')>
January 10, 2007, 04:06
Douglas J. Lynn
great information ! thank you
the watch came with a nice open face dueber coin silver case , i'll try to get some decent scans of it with the case and post them .
would you beleive this was an e bay find
about 2 years ago .... I put in a bid for $500.00 and just met reserve and went off to our watch club meeting , when I got back and checked on it ,I had won the watch !
good ones are still out there somewhere !
( I just bought that appleton tracy S#5042 )


Douglas