March 18, 2004, 01:20
Jerry TreimanWaltham Opera Watch
From about 1905 to the twenties Waltham strove to market a thinner dress watch than their standard 12-size 1894-model, and they succeeded with several models, including their Colonial watches in various models. Another very successful way they did this was in their "Opera Watch" wherein they put a small 6/0 (Jewel Series) movement into a larger diameter case. A distinctive filigree spacer held the small movement in place. Waltham mostly used their "Ruby" grade, but also occasionally used a "Riverside", "Diamond" or "Diamond-Maximus" movement.
The earliest catalog I have showing this model is from 1917 and shows only a round-cased watch with the Ruby movement in 18K for $120, 14K for $96 or gold-filled for $62.50. By 1921 they were offering the Ruby movement in several different case styles in 14K -- round ($115), octagon ($145), cushion ($150) and square ($155) and well as round and octagon gold-filled ($95 & $110). Most of the gold examples are in cases by Dubois/Depollier but a few have been seen in custom cases by other manufacturers. In a 1923 catalog the opera watch appears to have been phased out, in favor or their thin Colonial-A models.
Here are examples of the octagon and square styles of Opera Watch, both cases by Depollier & Sons. I would love to see some other examples posted.
March 18, 2004, 11:15
Rob SmithersJerry...My Opera Watch has the round case. The movement is marked "Ruby." Take a look....Robert
March 19, 2004, 00:37
Jerry TreimanRobert, thanks for showing the round example. Do you have a picture of the whole watch from the front? Tom, I look forward to seeing yours!
Here is a picture of the nicest one I have ever seen. This is the cushion case in 18K white gold. The pictures are snagged from eBay and I do not know who currently owns this beauty.
March 20, 2004, 22:57
Tom HuberJerry, Dug out my opera watch today. Pic is below (dial). movement on next post. As you will note, is the same octagon style case as yours, but mine does not have the seconds register.
Tom
March 21, 2004, 06:32
Brian C.I have also seen these in platinum. I think at a J&H Auction. I have one in gold filled but it's in the sdb at the bank.
Brian C.
pwpartsetc@pwatch.comAugust 26, 2006, 04:42
Jerry TreimanHere is an Opera watch in a round case that I recently got from Rob Jones. It also has a Ruby movement. It goes nicely with my octagon and square watches.
August 26, 2006, 20:46
Tom McIntyreI have a few more of these, but this is the one from my web site. I need to reshoot the pictures.
August 26, 2006, 21:20
Tom HuberHere is a pic of the dial side of an Elgin Opera Watch from my collection. Case is GF.
Tom
August 26, 2006, 21:24
Tom HuberThe movement of the Elgin Opera watch.
Tom
August 26, 2006, 22:13
Frank KusumotoJerry,
Thanks for starting this thread. This is great stuff. Of course, threads like these are all over the site and will start to be recognized. Thanks also enormously to all who contributed.
Frank "407" Kusumoto
August 27, 2006, 06:00
Ethan LipsigHere is a poor picture of my platinum Waltham opera watch.
August 27, 2006, 06:01
Ethan LipsigAnd here is an equally poor picture of its movement.