Solid or Gold-Filled?

July 08, 2004, 07:33

Jim Cope

...would ask for confirmation of the 'mark' on this 6S Waltham HC...is it 14K solid or gold-filled?...thanks...

July 08, 2004, 08:28

Jeffrey P. Hess

It is gold.

July 08, 2004, 11:41

Jim Cope

...thanks Jeff...your 'at-a-distance' assessment is confirmed by a feel & listen test that Lindell 'walked' me through over the landline this AM...Lindell first had me place my thumbs on the center/inside of the front/back and cuvette lids w/my index fingers placed opposite center/outside and had me 'feel' test for rigidity...had me compare that feel w/that on a 6S 'Cashier' 25GF HC case that I have and the difference in rigidity between the two was dramatic...the case shown here was much less rigid and much more supple than the GF 'Cashier'...also, the pitch of the sound of the lids closing on the two cases differed dramatically as well...thought that heavy 'buttery feel' and lack of brassing on an otherwise used/worn case was well founded...thanks much fellas!!!PS...the case front....

July 08, 2004, 17:57

Jim Cope

...and back...

July 09, 2004, 05:30

Brian C.

Jim,
The case is not a Waltham.
It was made by the American Watch Case Co.
Brian C.

July 09, 2004, 11:47

Jim Cope

...Brian, my reference should have read;- "confirmation of the 'mark on the hunter case for my Waltham 6S watch"...

July 09, 2004, 12:06

Lindell V. Riddle

Brian,

Interesting point. Just how intertwined were the two companies? A lot of people expect Walthams to be in A.W.C.CO Cases as if it adds authenticity.

We have the same thing with South-Bend Watches and South-Bend Cases.

Lindell

July 09, 2004, 16:52

Carlos Flores

Hello Jim,
Just passing to say that the case is beautiful, from a great lady I imagine..

July 09, 2004, 18:57

Sheila Gilbert

Hi,
How about a picture of the face of the watch.
The case is fantastic.

July 09, 2004, 20:37

Brian C.

Lindell,
I believe the A.W.C.Co. American Watch Case Company was located in Canada. They made cases for Waltham but I think that was the only relationship.
The A.W.W.Co. Was Waltham as well as A.W.Co.
Brian C.

July 10, 2004, 10:08

Sheila Gilbert

Jim,
Thanks so much for sharing what Lindell passed on to you. GREAT! I did it with a couple of my watches and boy what a difference.
My Elgin Pansy is like a noodle compared to my other gold filled watchcases. lolol

I swear that I could always tell by the feel of the watch just holding it, but I'm so new at this, I still don't trust myself. Funny thing is, that I usually get it right!

Someone once mentioned in here, that you could tell by the smell of the watch, and I was too embarrassed to mention that I had done that too.

The weird things we do for the craft!!!

Lindell, Thanks for the tip!

July 10, 2004, 10:37

Lindell V. Riddle

Thanks Sheila,

As we handle more cases we develop a "feel" for their content. The "gold-filled" process is a layer of gold over hard brass, hence no "flexing" as we find in a gold case.

Carlos,

The beauty of these pieces often causes us to imagine the person who might have owned them in years past. Such things as that are always fascinating to contemplate.

Brian,

Sounds like placement of the periods make all the difference. Below an image of the mark on what I believe to be an originally cased "1872 Model" Waltham 16-Size.

So then is this one "American Waltham Watch Company"?...