An old, not particularly valuable (keywind s#453773) Waltham model 1857 Waltham Watch Co grade timepiece was calling my name the other day, and not being too expensive, I bought it.

The draw was its complete originality, and its cuvette inscription: W.W.R. Woodburg, Danville Illinois, May 3rd, 1871.
Heavy R&A, Robbins and Appleton silver case.

The seller answered my question about its provenance the best she could: she wrote that she found it in an estate sale in Danville, Ill., which meant it did not leave its original environs over the 144 years since it was purchased in J.P. Hill's Jewelery store in Danville. I know that purchase fact by the old advertising key you can see in the photo.

I could find no other information in a google search, but I'm hoping that Tom, or some other amateur sleuth might be able to help.
Thanks in advance!

Ken

Very cool Ken. I was born in Champaign and still have family in Danville.

This watch however, predates my family there by about 30 years.

I'll have to keep my eyes open for the R&A cases... I don't believe I've seen one before.

Thanks for the note, Paul. The case is a little unusual. But a very well-known casemaker. As you probably already know, Robbins and Appleton are the very same gentlemen associated, to understate it, with Waltham.

Ken

Ken any dial and movement pictures?

That's kinda what I figured... yet another link in the interwoven history of these early timepieces.

Paul look in the book what was the hand-written production date for 453773

Ken, your watch and its history bring chills to my spine. VERY COOL!

Dave,

Can you interpret this for us?

Manufacture cycle; June-October, 1870
Movement signed; American watch Co.
Size: 18
4 Pairs train Jewels, (15 Jewel Movement)
Marked; "(Fogg's)Patent Pinion"
Compensating (bi-metal) Balance Wheel

Note this may have had a different signature on the actual movement, but being made as a 15 Jewel temperature compensated balance wheel movement this is well enough Jeweled and adjustable to be made RR accurate.

Hi Ken!

Nice watch. I don't have any American keywinds anymore. When I did, it was the only one and I sold it to a guy at work whose son was in a civil war play of some kind. It was a small 1860's HC. Bla Bla.

Mostly just saying hi to my neighbor Ken!

William

OK, I'm back with more photos - not at all to William's standards, but maybe good enough. You might barely be able to tell that it has gold hinges. Big thanks to David and Paul for the handwritten Waltham records and interpretation. I'm still hoping for some background info after issue date.
Hello William! - I wish we were much closer neighbors - like down the street from each other. Hope to see you and M. & O. again soon.

kh

movement...

case inscription...

the R&A hallmark