I bought a Waltham 1857, WWC, 15 jewel, serial #775593 with let down screw. There is a small hole with the word "patent" next to it. However, there is no screw visible. I thought maybe it was under the plate, but the hole is not threaded. And I am not going to go poking around to find out. Is there supposed to be a visible screw? And, if so, does anyone have any thoughts on where I might acquire one? I am learning so much from all the posts and everyone has been so helpful. Thank you! Mary Ann

Mary Anne, Regarding your question about your beautiful 1857 model. All of mine are Keywind and I think yours is an early stem wind that is (I think) quite special. It is listed in a short run as "P" (Premium) grade. So short of disassembly, the answer to your question remains a mystery to me.
The Key Wind models are pretty straightforward, and the later stem winding models 70-79 had a wheel on or under the pillar plate with a let down hole for releasing the "click".

I hope there is someone else who can shed some light on it.

Thanks Dave. It is a SW/LS. I saw references in the "book" also to Wm. Ellery and P.S. Bartlett model 1857 SW/LS. I might send send it to Chris Abell and have him look at it. I don't have the knowledge, nor the tools, to disassemble a watch. Right now I am just a fan and collector. One of these days I will take the class....

Mary Ann

I started with the 4-day "Field Suitcase Worlshop" F301 Pocket Watch class. That helped remove the "stigma" of disassembly cleaning and reassembly. The rest came from IHC185, some local watch makers . . . . and experience.

Mary Ann,
Chris Abell is an excellent choice, and not far from you!

Hello Dave. There is a weekend course in May or June up in Michigan that I was thinking about. I am self employed so it is not always easy to take off more than a day to two. No work, no pay! But I really want to be able to disassemble, clean/oil and reassemble a movement.

And to Ed - Chris is about 70 miles from me. Not really that far. I already have two E. Howard movements in to him for repair. I'll wait a bit before I send it. Don't want to load him up.

I came across this web page about the WWC model 1857 with let down screw. So mine is missing the screw.

Waltham Watch Co #597388

Nice information differentiating the higher end early wind and set mechanics from the wind only, still key setting grades.

If yours is also a wind only mechanism and still key setting for time there was no reason for a let down screw. Your let down screw is not missing, it was just not needed.