I can''t seem to find any informaiton on my Grandma''s watch

[missmarie253]

Hello everyone, I''m new to the forum, but I''m hoping some of the members might be able to give me a hand. My Grandmother acquired this 14k gold Waltham 17 jewel automatic wrist watch in the early 1960s and I''m having a little trouble finding anything even remotely similar to compare to. When she passed away everyone was so busy fighting over what little she had that no one even wanted this "dirty old thing" and I cleaned it up and took it home with me after the greedfest was finally over. Well, I absolutely love the engine dial and way the gold on the band is so intricately weaved, but I cannot find a single watch by Waltham that even comes close to comparing to this one. Anyone know why that is? You''d think as large of a company as Waltham was, that they would of produced more watches or that there would be more like this one out there. I would love to buy one similar by the same company but there are none to be found. Any info is greately appreciated. Also, the jeweler I talked to over the phone about it said that vintage watches carry little value. Is this true? It doesn''t matter either way because I''m keeping this to pass down to my grand children someday, but you''d think they would incur some value?



Also, why can''t I seem to get img codes to work? I keep getting an error.

 

[Rhea]

Can the watch be taken apart?

My mother had an older pocket watch from her great aunt or grandmother (so 1920s-1950s) and we used glasses screwdrivers and tools to take the watch apart. On several of the pieces there were hand engraved numbers. We put those along with the makers name into google and came up with a bit of information about time period of some of the parts. I don''t remember all the results, but it was fun to hunt and look. My mom keeps a file with all the information and photos so that she doesn''t have to keep opening the watch and chance damaging it.

Or take it to a watch expert for a cleaning and they should be able to tell you.

 

[kimikocat]

Date: 8/26/2009 5:21:26 AM
Author:missmarie253
Hello everyone, I''m new to the forum, but I''m hoping some of the members might be able to give me a hand. My Grandmother acquired this 14k gold Waltham 17 jewel automatic wrist watch in the early 1960s and I''m having a little trouble finding anything even remotely similar to compare to. When she passed away everyone was so busy fighting over what little she had that no one even wanted this ''dirty old thing'' and I cleaned it up and took it home with me after the greedfest was finally over. Well, I absolutely love the engine dial and way the gold on the band is so intricately weaved, but I cannot find a single watch by Waltham that even comes close to comparing to this one. Anyone know why that is? You''d think as large of a company as Waltham was, that they would of produced more watches or that there would be more like this one out there. I would love to buy one similar by the same company but there are none to be found. Any info is greately appreciated. Also, the jeweler I talked to over the phone about it said that vintage watches carry little value. Is this true? It doesn''t matter either way because I''m keeping this to pass down to my grand children someday, but you''d think they would incur some value?




Also, why can''t I seem to get img codes to work? I keep getting an error.

Miss Marie,

You might want to check your local library or a larger bookstore - there are books and books on vintage watches out there, and often with published photos of important designs. It''s possible that you could find your Waltham model in there. Also, take your watch to someone who specializes in antique/vintage watches. Watches are their own special area, and not everyone is qualified to comment on them. (Including me! DH loves watches so I''m borrowing his knowledge here )

Like Addy said, there should be a serial number on the watch somewhere - either inside, or sometimes engraved on the back - that will help you identify the model and the year. I wouldn''t take it apart myself - I''d make a watch repair specialist do it - but that''s only because I''d want the watch repair person to be responsible if the watch was damanged during the process I like to cover my bases. But what Addy did absolutely works. We''ve done that with some el cheapos around here, just for fun.

I found this page (Google search) for you - it gives some links to Waltham-related sites, including one that lets you date your watch by serial number. According to a blurb on the page, the Waltham company closed in 1957 (!) - not sure if that''s true, but if so that gives a clue to the age of your watch.

Your grandmother''s Waltham looks like a very special piece.http://www.waltham-community.org/WalthamWatch.html

Have fun tracking down the story of your grandmother''s Waltham! What a neat project!

kimi

 

[VRBeauty]

Congratulations on finding a little treasure that you can wear frequently to remind yourself of your grandmother!

As for identifying it... is there any way you can post close-up pictures of the face or back? Is there anything engraved or stamped into the case or bracelet? Like Addy, I've removed the backs from most of my watches so I could check out the movements (and often, give the case and bracelet a good soaking). If you look closely all around the side of the watch, you'll probably spot a little indentation or bump that's there to allow the case to be opened. I usually cushion the watch on something soft (a mousepad is great for this!) and use my thumbnail to pry the case open. If it requires more than that, well, that's where I might take it to an expert rather than risking marring the case or inadvertently damaging the mechanism.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that this watch might be a bit newer than the early 60's, because of the rope chain on the bracelet. I associate that with the 70's or 80's rather than the 60's. I bought a vintage Baume and Mercier watch with similar rope detailing at a pawn shop. It was manufactured, near as I can tell from ebay listings, in the mid 70's. I may be all wet here, honestly... I wasn't exactly buying luxury wristwatches in the 60's!
Anyhow, here's a site that has serial numbers by year for the U.S. manufactured (pre-1957) Waltham watches. There should be a serial number on the movement:

http://www.waltham.ch/index.php?main=Waltham_Memorial&sec=manufacturing_years

I don't know whether this part of the site covers all years, or just the later years:

http://www.waltham.ch/index.php?main=Waltham_Memorial&sec=framecontent

Good luck!