I picked up this Waltham Martyn Square at a local horology swap meet. Never having owned anything bigger than a 16s watch, I wanted just one larger watch and this thing is as big as a canteloupe. I wasn't crazy about the bronze hands.

The movement could've used a little cleaning and it was losing about 10 minutes a day. I've read everybody's posts about Chris Abell's work and I thought this might be a good debutante to view Chris's talents, so off to Texas it went.

Chris sent me a shot of replacement hands to peruse:

And this is what showed up after a few weeks:

Look at the polishing that went into this case:

Killer gloss on the caseback:

Great looking watch, it looks like two different ones. I don't know how Chris does what he does & at a great price.

Tom

Absolute perfection:

The man does do great work and this was no exception.

Steve

Great Work Chris, Those original Hands looked like the Solid Gold hands used on many early KWKS, what happened to them?

Another great restoration by Chris!

The Martyn Square was introduced in 1875 and appears to have been made for export. The dial looks kind of British and many English watches have gilt hands.
The Martyn Square watch was undoubtedly named after the location close to the factory; "Martyn Square, junction Crescent, Spruce and Adams, Ward 5"
"Martyn Sq. is believed to have been dedicated to Waltham resident Henry Martyn a few years after his death at age 38 in a swimming accident on August 24, 1871. Henry Martyn was the popular Associate Director and Chief Accountant of the American Watch Company at the time of his death."

What an interesting case! Is it silver?

Steve G.

This is similar to the case on my Independent Watch Co. stemwind.

Here is the case marks.

Here is the front side.

Here is the movement with the dust cover off.

Eric - that one is gorgeous! What a nice way to start your 18 sz collecting! Chris does superb work! And I love that pair case.

Thanks all, it came out well this watch and kept good time once serviced, this is one that needed the finger cots to prevent staining on those great plates, Eric asked for a set of black hands that would show the dial off better the gold color ones looked out of place and judging by the beating they had taken to fit must have been replaced at some point. I had to hand blue a few of the screws which worked out well. New mainspring also so hopefully good for many years to come

Chris

Any potential that the minute hand survived? Just about to send you my model 1877.. It appears to have the same hands but the minute hand has broken off.

Hi Bruce,
I have 1000s of hands here just a matter of searching, in the last shop buy I found vials full of Hamilton, Illinois Elgin etc PW second hands, that was great find, some more key wind type with fancy ends etc. (before I get bombarded with emails I don’t sell them individually I use them judiciously for repairs on certain watches) so always a chance I may have one.

Nice find Eric. Having Chris work his magic on it is a double blessing.