In the trite and a-political pursuit of my love of pocket watches, I am rehabilitating many Waltham 16 Size model 1888 movements as they exhibit much of the genius of that period of watch development. In my innocent and disingenious dismantling of this very nice s/n6985891 !7J Riverside, LO AND BHEHOLD! It is marked Non-Magnetic, has a white balance spring, what looks like a bronze color Pallet fork body, and is a DOUBLE ROLLER! (1 piece yet!)
Of course The complete guide has no record of such an animal.(I will show more pics when It is restored, but the below is PLAIN TO ME! )
ANYBODY?

David

I was thinking Waltham made some of their Riverside models with the non-magnetic markings, I think I have seen photos of some 23 jewel & 21 jewel model 1888 Riverside.

Tom

Tome, I found an ad in One of Ehrhardts early waltham books that refers to a model 1888 riverside 17 Jewel "Non-Magnetic". The thing that blows my mind is this exquisite execution of this movement INCLUDING the double roller which is a 2-piece but the safety roller is cut by an artist not a machinist. The Movement after I was finished . . .

A collage of the watch . . . "ciao bella", not bad for an 1896 vintage machine!

That is exquisite. ...in 1888????

well said...ciao bella

Nice non-magnetic watch Dave.
Waltham called those hairsprings, Conel, Hamilton called them Elinvar.
Brian C.

David,
I also like the 1888 movements. I have #722xxxx, half hunter Keystone cased, 17J. It is a very classy looking movement.

Think of it, in 1896 whnile still under the direction of their benefactor, Mr. Royal Robbins, Waltham made this Motor-Barreled, Double Rollered, Non-Magnetic, "Conel" (Elinvar) Hairspringed, Fully Adjusted with 4 Mean time screws Pocket Watch.

I think that besides being about 30 years ahead of its time (and I know Waltham gave it up to the bean counters), it speaks well for "things to come" with the other competitive companies (Illinois, Hamilton, etc.) to the "Big Two" who made these "advanced design" features standard practice by the 1930's.