I just picked up a U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham pocket watch serial number 26331 and I believe it to be a 18 size. It's lever set, stem wind. It is in a open face Fahys No1 oresilver case. Thanks in advance for any information you will be able to provide.

Thanks,

Bernie Babau

[NOTICE] Jon Hart has deleted his post that was posted October 04, 2014 23:02 where he incorrectly ID'd Member Babauta's watch as a Grade P.S.B. PS Bartlett, Model 1857 circa 1859. [end NOTICE]

The above posted [and now deleted] information posted by Jon Hart stating your watch is an American Waltham Watch Co. "P.S. Bartlett" Grade of watch was incorrect !!

Your watch is a U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham watch.

Pictures should always be posted on watches that you are wanting additional information on in order to get it right. A lot of folks get confused on these watches.

Here are a few additional facts on the U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham;

The US Watch Co of Waltham was in business in Waltham, Massachusetts from 1885-1905. The company was sold to E. Howard Watch Co. [Keystone] in 1903.

Their highest recorded serial number was 890,000 so it is possible that's how many were made, but unlikely.

Their highest grade was "The President" in 17 Jewel and 21 Jewel versions. They were very proud of "The President" grade watch and guaranteed it to vary less than 6 seconds a month way back in 1894 !! Some of their earlier watches had a "domed" center section on the movements. They also used an "acid etching" damaskeened pattern on the plates of some of their watches. They started out with 16 size watches and later made 18sz/6sz/ and 0sz watches. Most companies start production with 18 size watches.

Your posted serial number of 26,331 would put its production year at 1886-1889.

The U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham are interesting watches no doubt.

regards,
bb

The "Waltham" name included in the US watch Co. signatures confused many more people than Jon .

Some history, the US Watch Co. of Waltham was formed by some 1880's investors as a watch company that applied the skills of the key toolmaker for American Watch Co. of Waltham who had left American W. Co. and already formed his own watch machine company in 1879. The 18s designs produced by USW of Waltham (illustrated below with some from my past collection) show the big difference between the full plate type (lower pair pictured below) and a "new" style (upper pair pictured below) that reflected the technology American W.Co. had inherited when they had (earlier) acquired the "Nashua Watch" group. All of this is important because your watch is certainly collectible and to learn more about your watch will take some pictures as Buster suggested which show at least the watch movement plate.

A quick pick of the movement, thanks.

Bernie Babauta

And one of the dial, thanks.

Bernie Babauta

Deleted the information from the Waltham data - did not catch the US portion last night and had no pictures to go on. "It" happens... Sorry about that Bernie

It's easy to confuse the two watch company's. Waltham Watch sued U.S. Watch and won. Part of the settlement was that the U.S. Watch Co. had to put on their movements, A New Watch Co. At Waltham.

Your USWofW watch is vin. 1886. The pressed jewels and plain regulator suggest an 11 Jewel Hunter movement. Certainly a respectable carry watch for that period.

As it is running, a service (clean, lube and adjust) and dial soak should make it into a very presentable and fun carry/collect watch. The hand-lettered signature dial is correct for the period as you can see from the examples I pictured where the early Gold colored movement has that same dial.

If you find a straight legged (without that "Breguet" thick spot) hour hand that fits, it would satisfy some who like the "original" look. The hour hand it has now is just fine though as in the actual history of the watch Hands were normally replaced every few years because of damage to them while trying to extend the setting lever with a pen-knife or fingernail and Breguet type hands were more common by 1900.