I recently bought a 16 size Waltham open face grade 630 17J pocket watch. Serial number 12,598,034 dates watch to 1903-04. I was intrigued by the dial which is a simple single sunk hard enamel arabic numeral version but with the curious signature: Bay State, Am. Waltham Watch Co. There were two case companies with those names that were merged in the 1890s. Anyone out there have any ideas about this interesting dial signature??

In "American Pocket Watches Beginning to End" Meggers, it shows a Bay State USA that New York Standard made watches for as a private label.

Tom

As Massachusetts is nicknamed the "Bay State", there must be a connection to the Private label and their pride with keeping the American Watch Co. name on the dial to. I think I have some "Bay State" Watch Cases too.
Can you post a picture of the Dial?

I have never seen a Waltham Watch with a Bay State dial on it.
William, how many dial feet does it have?
Brian C.

I don't own a digital camera but dial is Waltham factory 3-foot dial. I bought the watch on eBay just over a week ago.I figured the watch was just too interesting. I recased the movement into a display case. Nicer than normal 630 grade. Item no. is 130270241120. Look under completed auctions, good view of dial and movement there.

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