So far, I've been mostly collecting Elgins.

I would like to start adding some Walthams to my collection but I am confused about Waltham names. Appleton & Tracy, P. S. Bartlett, Crescent Street, Wm. Ellery, Vangard. Which are the better names? The railroad grade names? The more collectable names?

Any information will help me figure out where to dive into the Waltham pool.

Hi Chris. In 1851, the factory building was completed and the company began doing business under the name "American Horology Company." The first watches produced went to officials of the company, and it was not until 1853 that the first watches were offered for sale to the public. The name was changed to "Boston Watch Company" in September 1853, and the factory in Waltham, Massachusetts was built in October 1854. The movements produced here (serial numbers 1001 - 5000) were signed "Dennison, Howard, & Davis," "C. T. Parker," and "P. S. Bartlett."
The Boston Watch Company failed in 1857 and was sold at auction to Royal E. Robbins. It was reorganized as "Appleton, Tracy & Co." and watches 5001 - 14,000 were produced. The first movements carried the Appleton, Tracy & Co. marking. The C. T. Parker movement was reintroduced as the model 1857 and sold for $12, no small amount in those days! In January, 1859 the Waltham Improvement Co. and the Appleton, Tracy & Co. merged to form the American Watch Company.
According to the biography by Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln owned and carried a Waltham "Wm. Ellery" watch. The watch was an 11-jewel, 18 size, and keywind in a silver hunting case, and was produced in January of 1863.
In 1865 prices for movements only (no case) were: William Ellery $13, P. S. Bartlett $16, Bartlett-Ladies $30, Appleton Tracy $38, A.T. & Co Ladies $40 and American Watch Grade $175!
The Waltham name changed over the years to just Waltham on the dials. The different names and grades are many. Depending on what size of Waltham you wish to collect the 18 s from the late 1890's with 17 jewels "PS Bartlet" is a good starting point, and a 16 s say grade 630 with 17 jewels is another. Both are affordable and parts are plenty. Then you can start to go backwards into the early key winds and smooth balances for the 18 size and head the other way into the teens with the Cresent St, 645's etc. Waltham made many great models and grades over the years. Pick what you like and go for clean detailed movements. Most of all don't break the bank and have fun.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Roland.

Chris,
Try this link, it has some of the information you are looking for.

http://www.awco.org/AWCo/AWCoGrade.htm

Here is another.

http://www.pricelessads.com/m57/monograph/index.html

Great 2nd link Edward on PS Bartletts as I have one from 1867 and it is listed. Thank you, Roland.

Thanks for the good information. Where does the Vanguard fit into the scheme of things?

Per Roland's suggestion, I found and won this Model 1892 17j P.S. Bartlett:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1892-Walth...?hash=item4839373fd6

Looks like it'll be a nice watch. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chris you made a good start. The Vanguard series were premium+ grades. A little more bling on the kind you already have in that beautiful two color movment 1892.

Very nice model 1892 with the 2-tone! You did good on the bid also as in average shape it's a 175 and in fine quite a bit more, so good shopping. Congrads Chris.

Nice buy! That's a very attractive movement and a good price, judging by the picture and description. Make sure and get it cleaned, oiled and timed when you get it so that it'll last for many more years to come. Get some new pictures of it when it arrives and share them with us as well!