Just acquire this s/n 18018346=1910.Believe it to be correct with the exception of the seconds hand.Let me know what you think. Roger

bezel off

movt

Choo Choo

Nice watch, I especially like the case and I figure a 10% premium when they have a train order board.

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?

Nice watch David,very interesting dial.Noticed the regulator on yours is different.I suppose they changed these in the 20's.Would that be correct?

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.

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

Very,very nice Peter. Roger

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.

Thanks Theodore,I wondered about the dial as well.Think I will take a look see.Stay tuned!! Roger

Theodore,you were correct,swiss dial,sure is pretty.It is off and a correct one installed. Roger

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

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.

Roger, see what you started! A Great Post! Hear Hear!

Great looking watches!! I do have a 845 but it can't compete with the ones shown as it doesn't have a Canadian dial.They all are very nice. Roger

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

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.

Another Riddell from Pointe St. Charles

Illinois Movement A. Lincoln

Larry that is a great piece. How many numbers can you fit on a dial!