Samuel posting under Johns name.....(gotta remember my own password soon)
OK is this a defective case or was there a special movement made by Waltham that needed this? The bezel and "hinged" back are on the wrong sides!!!!
Normally when you put the movement in the bottom or movement side is smaller than the top or dial side and has a lip to tighten the screws onto. This case is reversed. So the lip to tighten the movement "Case" screws onto is on the front bezel side?!? Any one here got any ideas?
Posts: 349 | Location: Western New York in the U.S.A. | Registered: December 22, 2002
We re-sent your registration details. Now to the case...
My first impression is someone may have improperly modified this case in a lathe, unlikely but that could help explain the odd appearance. Anyhow, somehow the case at one time functioned because there is wear on it!
Could it have actually been designed to "show-off" the movement and the user rarely checked the time?
Perhaps putting movement in the case might help clear up the mystery.
Lindell
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
The only thing I can think of is the Waltham "Opera" watch which has a 1.505" diameter body while BOTH the dial and the back trim ring are 1.520 O.D. So the watch is held central in the case from both sides when the smaller movement with dial assembled is inserted into the case and then the back ornate trim ring is screwed into place by attachment of the 3 ring mounting screws just outside of the small movement.
Check the I.D. of the case and see if it is 1.505"
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
David I don't have a micrometer nearby with inches on it so I have to use millimeters and convert. The inside diameter is 39mm and using online conversion tools 39 millimeter = 1.535 433 070 9 inch [international, U.S.].
Posts: 115 | Location: Jamestown, New York in the USA | Registered: August 12, 2008
With all the gold cases being lost to scrapping these days, despite some obvious wear this otherwise ordinary looking gold-filled case should be identified and therefore saved. If this one is indeed what David suspects a worthwhile Waltham Opera Watch could once again be complete.
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Now to the case...
might help clear up the mystery.
