Don't know what to say about this watch. I do not believe it is an original crystal plate from Waltham but rather maybe a watch school project. Any thoughts or info would be appreciated. I have seen the crystal plate watches before in 16s and 6 size this one is more like a 10-12 size.

Rob,

The layout looks like the 10s keywind.
Same shape balance cock.

Pinned on dial, and 4 plate screws.
Is that a solid balance wheel?

Very interesting! Looks like a keeper to me.

Nice watch!

Steve

I agree Steven that's the reason I said 10s but it has been recased in what looks to be a newer 12s base metal case.

Rob,

is the clear material plexiglass, or glass? I sure wouldn't like to have to cut and polish quartz crystal for gilt gears and settings.
.

Kevin

Good question I am not sure I will have to look closer at it.

A hot needle will let you know.

Well I believe it is plastic so as I originally thought it must be a project watch.

Robert i think it is very pretty i like it even if plastic.

It's pretty impressive actually. A new spin on skeletonizing a watch.

I have a hard enough time maintaining alignment and clearances with the factory parts... I can't even imaging the tolerances on targeting the wholes that needed to be drilled to fit the jewels and screws and still expect this thing to go back together and run.

I agree with Paul as to the effort to fit a plastic top plate for the train. In comparing Rob's posted watch to a factory 18K cased version that passed through my collection, the issue becomes even clearer, as the plastic plate version has an un-jeweled pallet fork due to the severe limitation of drilling plastic with closely spaced holes.

Another thing of note is that this movement is a variant with a pinned dial (but a missing case screw) and the mainspring click spring located under the dial plate rather than assembled to the top plate, making this plastic conversion simpler.

I agree that it's plastic, most likely acrylic or polycarbonate. This is very disagreeable material to machine due to a very low melting point! I think I recognize the jewels; these were sold through S. LaRose and were from the Elgin factory. They were synthetic rubies set in un-sized and un-finished cylindrical brass settings.

William

nice

I like it, imagine the skill it took to fashion it.
Gary