The wife and I decided to go antiquing(sp?). After looking at a couple of poor specimans, we decided to go to a small pawn shop that is not to far away. We walked in the door and went directly to the 50% off cabinet. Saw an Omega that had seen a better life and a small Movado. The lady behind the counter told me she had a couple of watches she had not put out yet. She placed two watches in the case. One was a beat up Rolex and the other was demi-hunter pocket watch. I needless to say went straight for the PW. The watch is a 14s Waltham Bond Street housed in a Trade Mark ALD English Make case. The case is in really good condition except for what appears to be daily wear marks. I purchased the watch and walked out of the door with a smile (payed about as much as it costs to fill up my car )
Here is a question for the Waltham guys. Did Waltham pick a specific type movement to send across the big pond? Did they ship the movements over by request or did they have small Waltham stores set up in England?
In Joe Martin's earlier post, I was belly aching that there are no good deals to be found here in Southern Cal. I need some water to wash down the crow I ate.
Bruce Byrd
Posts: 888 | Location: San Diego, California USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
My brain cells don't retain all the info, but without looking it up I think the ALD case is for Dennison who left waltham and started a watch case factory in England.
Waltham made a lot of movements specifically meant for exports. I recall that the different Waltham books had a lot of information on that.
Posts: 881 | Location: Arroyo Grande, California USA | Registered: February 22, 2004
The great majority of Waltham export movements are low-jeweled gilt movements. Roman numerals are common and the dial is often marked with "Waltham, Mass", and later on with "USA". Paradoxically, Waltham's highest grade movement, the American Watch Co. grade bridge models, also seem to have been exported in larger numbers to England.
Posts: 1455 | Location: Los Angeles, California USA | Registered: January 14, 2003
I read somewhere that the Waltham Marquis model was specifically marketed in the UK. I don't know if this is a fact or not.
Here are some pics of one I recently bought in the UK.
What I find poignant is the inscription - To Reg from Mother and Flora September 1st 1915. Perhaps Reg was about to be sent to the trenches in France and this was a parting gift.
)
