Hi all I'm not sure what I got myself today.
Any help will be good

picture of the movement

You need to get a copy of the technical history (picured at right below) of watchmaking to learn more of these makers and where they came from. It is available right here

I do have the complete price guide but will have to get the other two books.

Peter, your watch is quite a nice find, indeed....

It is a Mdl.1859, grade PSB, AT&Co, 18s, 15j, Key Wind (not), and 1 of 80 in a run that started on 1/1/1861 & ended on 1/31/1861....There were 78 runs with an ending total of only 1132 units being made and this occured from 10/1/1860 thru 12/31/1865....

Your watch is truly a Civil War era watch....

It would be something to fully restore this watch....

Good luck, Peter....

Regards,

Jerry

I guess I'm missing something basic here ( and it wouldn't be the first time) but that movement in the photo looks to me like a stem winder not a key wind and didn't US Watch Company of Waltham start in 1885 ????

Peter, I had the serial number of the movement without really 'looking' at your photo and it is quite evident that your watch is not key wind and that makes things even more interesting....

The serial number shown, 44065, is what I listed in the post above, and looking at the price guide under the AT&Co. info it does show the M#1859, 15j and being a 3 (***) star watch which it would be with the info listed above (1132 total units).

If that is the case, your watch is really a nice find and all you need do is find a nice silver case to put it in....

Congratulations on your great find....

Regards,

Jerry

Tom, actually Waltham has roots back to 1851, but merged with Appleton Tracy Co, in 1859....so I think this watch that Peter found is quite a find....

The question I have is, it really does not look like it is a 15j movement....

If mine, when it is taken apart to clean, I would certainly be checking all the parts to make sure the serial numbers all jibed....


Regards,

Jerry

It is a US Watch Co of Waltham watch not made by the American Watch Co. US Watch Co. 1885-1905 later bought by Keystone

Peter and Jerry, we need to clear this up right now. This watch was made in about 1890 by U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham, not American Watch of Waltham.

The U.S.Watch of Waltham Co. was founded in 1885 by some local investors who had the cooperation of Mr. Charles Van Der Woerd who as Superintendent of American Watch Co. (Waltham) established the Waltham Watch Tool Co. in the late 1870's and left American Watch Co. of Waltham in 1882 to pursue his own interests.

Mr Charles' Genius at automatic watch making machine designs was already evident in the American Waltham Watch Co. product and he endeavored to continue his experince with the U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham.

The story goes on from that and you need to read the History to fully appreciate the vast cross-pollination these geniuses delivered to the era of American Watchmaking that afforded our country a century long status as the best watchmaker in the world.

Ok Im lost not for the first time
SO do I have a jewel in rough or just a nice pocket watch?

Opps....

I assumed it to be a Waltham, mainly, I guess, from the dial then I saw a SN and Waltham, Mass. and went directly to Waltham's data base....

My mistake, Peter....and Thanks, David for clearing this up for us....

Regards,

Jerry

Peter-

The grade you have would be similar in value to an 1883 waltham. It is a pretty common US Watch CO. Movement. The hard to find ones for the US Watch Co. (Waltham) are the frosted plate ones and also "The President" grades. I would love to have a president grade US Watch Co. But they bring good money.

Jared

Got it thanks all.

Peter-

Here is a 17 jewel frosted plate (Acid Etched) 18 size model. I would have to say they are one of my most favorite pocket watches when in good shape and the etching is in good shape.

Jared

Very nice .
I just found pw junk yard and can't help not
to buy those movement.