... and I hope I have done a good move: from the ser.number (22210139) should be a model 1908, Riverside, 16s, adj. 5 position, stem wind, lever set, patent regulator, jeweled main wheel, built about 1918. I guess that this is a Railroad Grade (the quadrant is double sunk, big numbers). From the price guide I suspect that this watch is considered "* = uncommon".
I would like to have the comments of some expert: and if the move hasn't been so good, in any case the movement looks very nice to me.
Thanks a lot

Mario, The Price Guide is confusing because it lists a model 1899 Open Face and a model 1908 Hunter Case 19 Jewel riverside. As yours is a 1908 Open Face, you must refer to the 1899 which is the same basic movement. The 1908 Hunter Case is shown as a 1* because it is a hunter case, and that does not include your open face type which was made in larger quantities.

You watch IS very special BECAUSE it is a 19 jewel model which has Jeweled motor barrel. In my opinion that makes it a better watch than the 21 Jewel Riverside models which did NOT have jeweled motor barrels, but rather had 2 pairs (4 Jewel total) of "cap" jewels added to a 17 Jewel movement to make them qualify as "21 Jewel".

After all that, you have a very nice and collectible watch. I see the regulator is missing a spring retainer screw. Be very careful until you can get this screw as the regulator spring is very fragile.

This watch is a good example of the expression "smokestack jewels".

Many consider the 19j riverside to be the finest timekeeper for the money ever made.

happy hunting

Mario, I totally agree with Bill for many reasons you have a watch of the highest respect for qualilty and time. I add a picture of the screw that looks like it is missing on your watch to help you or a watchmaker understand what it needs . . . If there is a safe way to mail you this, I can probably find one in my parts for you.

Bill, David, thanks a lot, and I have to tell you, I had difficulties in finding the missing screw in the picture even AFTER you pinpointed it to me ... In France they say "Chapeau !", take your hat off, my compliments ! David, if you just put the screw in an mail envelope, may be in little plastic bag, I'll receive without any problem, I have already had many spares sent from US, but I don't want you to do it for free (USPS & part have to be paid for at least, even taking your time as a friendship gift !) If you give me your email I'll simply transfer you the money via PayPAL. Thanks a lot again !

Nice find Mario.

Dave, you are truly a good man and a wonderful member of this club.

Mario, I will send the screw as soon as you e-mail me to

david@glopar.com

your address EXACTLY for mail from US. What ever you think the screw is worth, please donate that to your favorite charity.

Dave, the seller simply refused to ship the watch to me because I live in Italy. My personal opinion is slightly different, but ...
So I do not need the screw any longer, but I have learnt that I do need your help and advice, and that in IHC185 there are a lot of fine fellows. So you got a member more, I just paid my membership. Thanks a lot.

Welcome to IHC185 Mario, Pleased to have you aboard.

I can understand your frustration with the seller for refusing to ship the watch to Italy, but on the flip side, very many eBay sellers now refuse to ship to Italy (Especially high value goods) as they regard it the 'Bermuda Triangle' of the postal network - because so much stuff has seemingly gone missing as soon as it lands there.

Personally I've never lost anything when I've shipped to Italy, and have always enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Italian buyers.

I would say it's always best if disappointment is to be avaoid, to Email a seller before you place any bids, and ask if they will ship to you.

This is quite important if the seller ships 'Worldwide' yet makes no restrictions in the listing description regarding 'Ship to' locations, as there will actually be no restriction on where a bidder is located.

If the seller didn't state in the auction that Italy was excluded from his shipping areas, then it's a moot point whether he's being unreasonable or not.
You Can still leave feedback though!

Commiserations on losing the watch, it looked a nice piece.

Best regards

John

Well, John, if you say you ship WW, then you ship WW, isn't it ? look, I offered him to pay UPS, and I buy regularly from US, so I know how much the missing S will cost you. IMHO the point is different, he thought that 129.99 was too low and so found a solution to the problem.

In my opinion there are two ways to have things desappear in Italian Posts: ship in a simple enveloped, not signed and tracked or/and make a fake Custom declaration. In the first instance you run a real risc. In the second the thing will sit in Customs for a couple of months until you provide right infos. But if you do, you'll have pay a fine too, so you will not answer to Customs questions and scream that the thing is lost. It is true that last year, Dec thru Feb there has been a huge strike in Customs, so things piled up to the sky, but anythiing arrived, late, but arrived. I wonder how many people, meanwhile, got a refound via PayPal (that is from seller) AND finally the watch too.
Sorry for being that boring.
Have a nice Sunday

Mario, I have sent a note to the coin shop who listed this watch as eBay;

http://cgi.ebay.com/Size-16-American-Waltham-Co-19-Jewe...C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

I offered them that I will pay them the same price for the watch and they can ship it to me so that I can forward it to you.

I will keep you informed of any success to recover this for you.

David, you left me without words ... I don't know how to express myself: so please accept my "Thanks, David" as it do sounds in my head.

Nice Riverside, Mario. I have one just like it only slightly higher S.N., and I have to say it is the best running and most accurate watch I've ever had!

Way to go Dave,

If that doesn't work, we'll track his store and when he relists it, we'll win it again and send it to Mario at that time.

Keep us posted as to whether or not he accepts your offer, that's a good thing you have done....

Hang in there Mario....

Regards,
Jerry

David, Jerry, this morning I got up and spent a good 12 USD, and I tought that these bucks were spent in a good way. Now, almost bed time, I'm not only satisfied, I'm proud of my decision. At sixty it wasn't a common day.

Mario, you might contact the seller and ask him to ship it directly to Dave. You might have the right to require him to do that if he is looking for a way to weasel out of the sale. I almost always have my watch purchases mailed directly to my watchmaker so he can inspect them, reject the frauds, and clean the keepers. No seller has ever refused to ship a watch to my watchmaker. Dave, at least with respect to the missing screw, is your "watchmaker."

Mario, I was at your airport in our Company plane to visit Imas Dellorto in 1986, beautiful area, Lake Como is excellent. I had a very nice visit.

GOOD NEWS!!!!The eBay seller has confirmed they are sending me your beautiful Waltham Riverside 19 Jewel watch on Monday. Mario, I will keep you well informed of it's progress.

Dave, In your photo of the screw that Mario needed you have some nice white lettering along with an arrow. Are you using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to add that graphic? Thanks, Bruce

Mario - I am so glad that you are going to get your watch with David's help!

And David - you are a very special person to help out in the way that you did with this issue as well as others that I have read about. Thank you for going above and beyond to help our fellow members.

Mary Ann

Bruce, The word program is part of Picasa 3 which is a free download and is totally compatible with our site.

Mary Ann, You and all the rest of our IHC185 members are a privilege to know and work with. My enjoyment of Horology has been multiplied 10 times by this group, it is the very least I can do just to share that fun with everybody.

Well done Dave....nuff said....

Regards,
Jerry

Way to go Dave...you are a true representative to this club and what it stands for. Thanks for helping out the way you did. And Mario, hope you enjoy your watch for many years to come.

Steve

Mary Ann, David, Steve ... all people reading this thread, as Jerry Matthews said, PWs are "things of beauty" : I come to the conclusion that people like IHC185 ones who love those little things of beauty are indeed peculiar people, I'd say beautiful people. Really glad to have joined !

You will always be welcome here, Mario, on the 185 Express....

Enjoy your new watch....

Regards,
Jerry

Very nice job, Dave.
Brian C.

Mario! As you have not paid for the watch yet, the watch seller Marty called me and advised me he is sending you the invoice for this watch today corrected for the lower shipping costs to send it to me.

I should recieve the watch within a week after you pay him.

I will add the small screw in the regulator and inspect the watch for general condition.

The I will send it to you as you advise.

Hi David.

I am awaiting the invoice. As soon as I see it, I'll immediately PayPAL it, and I'll send you copy of transaction.
You are spoiling me ...
Kindest regards
Mario
PS: you will get copy of the emails between Brian and me. Thanks a lot to both

Now guys, where is it any smoother than this!

I just got this e-mail from the seller. Things are rolling!

Hi, This is Mario's consent to ship to you. Thank you very much for facilitating the transaction; the watch will go out in tomorrow's mail insured for $170.00. Thank you, James OwenAdministrative Assistant for Marty's Rare Coins

Well, he has got, truly, something more than my consent, he has collected his money one and a half hour ago, and this is settled.
As far as UPS they're very good also here, quite better than USPS and DHL.
Last the address: can you read it from my profile here ? it is right, I have just checked it. In any case, I have sent you a mail with it.
Thanks a lot again

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together....

Great job David....

Regards,
Jerry

David, you're a scholar and a gentleman. To paraphrase Groucho, I'm proud to be a member of an organization that has you for a member. Enjoy the watch, Mario!

Tom