Roger, you have a fine piece of history, the seconds hand is less important than having this excellent example of Waltham's purpose-built RR Grade watch movement meant to give the best "bang for their buck" to working RR people. I have carried on before about the attributes of Waltham's 645-845 series and with the help of the IHC185 replacement setting lever, I have one I fully restored residing in my own "do not sell" collection. The dials can be interesting . . . is "Riddell" any relation to our own member?
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
Mine is s/n 20076114 which dates it to around 1915. The regulator is a later design, good observation, maybe this was an early one.
One of the most important things about this watch is the watchmaker is located in Point St. Charles, Quebec, Canada which is/was the home base for the Grand Trunk railway connecting many eastern US and Canadian routes all the way to Detroit and Chicago.
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
Dave, Since you brought in the Canadian factor, I could not resist showing off my 645. It is s/n 17155083, year 1909. It seems to be all original (except for the second hand). The case is a swing out A.W.C.Co Fortune. I like the busy dial, quite unusual. Cogratulations Roger, you got a good one! Regards, Peter
Posts: 192 | Location: Vicenza in Italy | Registered: February 04, 2009
Nice looking 645, Roger!The dial looks to be a Swiss-made reproduction.These 645's were one of Waltham's most popular railroads.Of course now you'll have to get an 845 to go along with it!!! Best regards, Ted.
Posts: 1323 | Location: Lebanon, Connecticut USA | Registered: March 28, 2008
Thank you Roger,and since Ted mentioned the "845 to go with it", here is mine, all Canadian of course. S/N 19121927, year 1914, in a Fortune case with light brassing. Peter
Posts: 192 | Location: Vicenza in Italy | Registered: February 04, 2009
Sharp looking 845, Peter...I really like the dial on that one!I too have as Dave said before a "pair of '45's", 6& 845.You can't have one without the other!One thing I've noticed, all 845s have gold jewel settings, but only the 19J 645 has them.The 21J ones have either goldish-looking settings, or like mine, dark brown ones.They all are a good running no- nonsense RR watch.They were a little cheaper to buy than something like a 992 or a BW Raymond, etc.Probably why so many are still around today.
Posts: 1323 | Location: Lebanon, Connecticut USA | Registered: March 28, 2008
Well,ok, since you insist....Here is my other 845 year 1905 with the more common dial, note the earlier "star" regulator. I see I have to do some polishing on the movement. The hands are questionable too, but that's the way I got it.
The waltham 1892 full plate is one of my favorite movements, all excuses are good to get another one! Next one will be a two tone, I hope.
With this I think I strayed way too far from the original subject, time to pull the reins! Regards to all, Peter
Posts: 192 | Location: Vicenza in Italy | Registered: February 04, 2009
Another "645" story:Not too long ago, I saw an unusual 21j get sold on a dealer site.It was marked "non magnetic", and did have a white hairspring.Pretty unusual, there can't be many like that one.By the way, Peter, that 845 is a dead ringer for mine, same dial and case, even.Thanks for showing it!...Ted.
Posts: 1323 | Location: Lebanon, Connecticut USA | Registered: March 28, 2008
