Over the years of collecting many different models of "High Grade" american pocket watches, I often become intrigued by the Watch companies advertisements of the Best models they have available for sale during a given era.

I have been fortunate to collect the "Obivious" scarce models as shown in the Shugart Books **** etc!!

More recently I have, however started searching for "Odd" or low production models that show up in many of the old ads. Normally I find these particular models to have low or insignificant recognition in the price guides....Great for buying, as the prices are not high. The only problem is since most of these models were only advertised for short periods of time, and the production list show small quantities produced, they do not show up very often.

The following Waltham 88 model- Am'n Watch co. grade is a good example of this situation. As shown in the attached listings the movement is listed with all the newest Waltham improvements, and carried a hefty price of $75.00 in 1890. I have been hoping to get my hands on on of these for about 15 years and finally got the chance to purchase one from an antique dealer.

During the restoration of the movement I decided to take pics identifing the "Key" waltham innovations.

Here is shown an important Waltham innovation the "Motor Barrel" mainspring and maingear (Note: the Main gear is serialized). It seems Waltham preceeded all other companies by about 5 years with this innovation, that was later adopted by ALL USA watch companies. Please also note the "Detent" stem system that was "dropped" in most pocket watch designs, but put back into use by most wrist watch movements 30 years later!

here the gear train is installed, (note: the center gear is Gold).

Here the barrel bridge is installed, and the winding/ratchet wheels are installed. The wheels are very highly finished.

the train bridge is added next. Very nice finish quality, Fine Ruby jewels in gold settings, excellent damaskeening. Overall beautifuly finished.

here is the Bi-Metallic "Compensated Balance" featuring gold balance screws and Adjustable timing screws. Also shown is the "Breguet" overcoil Hair-Spring. Note: At this point I discovered the reason the watch wasn't running, and probably left in a drawer for many years.

The Hair spring stud was cracked from the taper pin being pressed in to firmly. This is actually a really easy repair, and I used a replacement stud from a "Riverside" grade 88' from the same serial number range.

another significant Waltham innovation can be seen here. The "Double Roller" feature. On this watch the Roller jewel is actualy mounted in a gold "Roller Table" and a second steel safety roller is used to prevent "overbanking" of the pallet fork.

This Waltham innovation was found in both the American and Am'n grade 88 model watches at least 5 years before any other USA companies, and of course became the industry standard from about 1900 on.

As I mentioned previously, this particular 88 model is quite scarce and the estimated production is about 200 units. IF you have any of these 88 model Am'n Grade, please post a pic and serial #s to confirm any interesting variations or additional unique features.

I have a Gilded Plate 11 Jewel s/n 5643978, and a 17 Jewel Adjusted s/n 7496620 both serial numbers either side of the very nice restoration yuo are reporting on. The interesting thing is that both of these I am showing and your restoration have the plate cuts that expose more of the circumferential area of the center wheel than the Waltham reprint. The record however shows both types are designated as 1888 models.

The reprint shows the 17 Jewel "Hunting" Version. The one I am restoring is the Open Face type.

It is interesting to note, however that the Waltham production list does not indicate an 88' model 17 Jewel Am'n Grade was ever produced in "Hunting" form. (See the posted estimated production list for the "17 jewel" Am'n W. Co. Hunting -NOT LISTED)

Of course the "16 jewel" version is shown at about 425 blocked serial numbers??? My guess is the artist used the 16 jewels Hunting version for the advertisement

I am not sure this qualifies, but here is a 21 jewel Riverside Maximus '88, #7,003,850.

Ethan you really know how to hurt a guy. Whatta Beauty!

Hi Ethan, Thanks for the Image, I also have a couple of the 88'Riv Max, normally come up on ebay every couple of months...the production shows about 600 units Open Face and 800 units Hunting.

I am really looking for additional images of the 88' 17J Am'n Grade. I just can't seem to locate any other examples to compare to.

As I had previously mentioned, I have most of the "Popular" high grade watches...Here is one of my American grade 19J that needs to be serviced.

-Sean

Geting back to the 88" 17J Am'n here is the Balance Cock and Balance installed.

Unfortunately, the re-pinning of the Hairspring stud resulted in poor rate and way "out of beat".
About an 1-1/2 hours later of adjusting, the vibrograph showed +/- 3 seconds at 75 degrees. depending on positions.

I did wear the watch today starting with a full wind up. Over 12 hours I was only +2 seconds! we will have to see how it does overnight as the mainspring runs down...

here is a shot of the top plate. Note: Steel hour and minute wheels

Dial and Hands installed

A Crescent Gold case with some "Honest Wear" , of course a Proper Triple hinge type case.

here is the completed watch before I wound it up fully, for a "Wear Test" of timing accuracy.

My, Waltham did some of the most amazing damaskeening. Some of the '88 models in particular are almost impossible for the ordinary mind to fathom.

Sean, I could post a picture of a 19 jewel "American Watch Co" grade '88, but I understand you to be looking for the "Am'n Watch Co." grade, which I do not have.

In examining the photos in this posting and my '88 American Watch Co. and Riverside Maximus watches, I have noticed a anomaly. The engraving at the outset of this posting shows a watch with a train bridge that is longer than the train bridge in most or all of other watches, square ended, rather than rounded, and with a triangular point projecting between the winding wheels, rather than essentially straight sided. Are the watches of both styles all '88s? Is the different train bridge simply the hunter version? What gives?

Ethan,
The difference is one is a hunter case and one an open face.
Brian C.

Sean,
Thanks for this great thread on the 88 model waltham. I really enjoyed the info and the pictures.
Cannot wait for your next thread.
Tony

Sean, "There-ya-go-again"! I bid this and actually won it. Hard to tell if its the AmWal type, but it looked nice anyway.

Nice Dial. Good restoration piece anyways . . .

The eBay one came in today, and alas, it is still a AWWCo.!

A great looking piece of work. This movement will clean up nicely, and hopefully without too much fuss and bother!

Hi David,

Excellent Dial!! I have a nice stockpile of 88' Riverside's. Yours , However has a Dial that is very, very uncommon on ANY 88' Riverside.....mostly that special "Script" American Waltham Watch Company , is excellent period lettering, from AWWCo.

-Sean

Got any parts watches? . . . "Just in Case".

I have a couple of dozen 88's, pretty much all models from the 7j#20 grade to 19j American Watch Co. Grade. Most are Riverside and Royal with both regular and Non-Magnetic Hairsprings.

-Sean

I will go through this on the weekend and show some pictures of the movement and the dial both sides when it is out for clean up.

I dug this 88 up from my "heap" to practice for the other one and . . .

Its a "P" Grade 650, 17 Jewel Adjusted with Gold Wheels, Double Roller and MOTOR Barrel! Is that unique?!