Hi all, I have another Waltham question.They made a grade 642 17jewel leverset RR watch.According to Roy Ehrhardt's Encyclopedia Vol. 1, only 2000 were made, model '08.These must be fairly rare.Has anyone actually seen one, or seen any factory ads for the 642? I wonder if it had the same damaskeening as as the 645.It must have been a lower priced watch than their 19-or-more jewel railroads.Obviously, it must not have been a big seller if only a small number were made.Thanks!

Yes, I have one that I picked up late 2009. Waltham 16s, 17j, Adj 5 positions, Ser#22098306

Nice watch, Gordon! I wonder why they didn't mark the grade number 642, like they did on the more common 645's.I know these were railroad grade, but I don't remember ever seeing the 642 listed on any approved watches list.Thanks for answering and showing the watch, I didn't think anyone would ever answer...Ted.

Yes it is a strange watch. There does not appear to any recognition of its low production numbers. Shugart lists it in with the other 1908 600 # series. Perhaps one day, it will appreciate, reflecting its relative rarity. Whatever, I'm very pleased it came my way.

It was "lost" in the mail for two months, and I thought it would never arrive.

Gordon

This may have been though of as a carry on from the 645 which was actually made in both 19 and 21 Jewel movements.

Dave, you're probably right on the money about that, I never even thought of that.I used to think that these 642's were intended for the huge market Waltham already had in Canada, since down here, most US RR's were leaning toward 19-or -more jewels, and the Canadian railroads were using zillions of 17jewel watches.Maybe the 642 just didn't sell, and that's why they just aren't around.And Gordon, i'm glad your's arrived alive! looks like a nice one.Nothing's more nerveracking than waiting a long time for a watch in shipment, I ordered a watch from Canada one time ,took over a month, only from Ontario!Pretty scary!...Ted.