Description

Folks we have a fine offering for your consideration in this antique American Waltham Pocket Watch Grade Appleton Tracy circa 1886. The fine Waltham is a size 18 and measures 2 ¼ inches in diameter. A substantial pocket watch housed in this desired Model 1 Fahy’s Coin Silver Case with the Patent Date of 1884. This would have been the Gentlemen’s Dress Pocket Watch of the day and was a symbol of prestige and status and manufactured to the highest of standards. This was also the Railroad Pocket Watch of the Day and would have been common on the rails. The standards for railroad timekeeping were not set until after 1895. In the U.S. we had over 500 independent railroads operating with as little as 80 miles of track, the “railroad standard” was never fully embraced. We have a truly fine antique Waltham Pocket Watch with this desired configuration of the Appleton Tracy Grade Movement, Fahy’s Coin Sliver Case, Double Sunk Roman Numerals Dial and highlighted with the original Blued Steel Hands all in very good condition. I hope the many pictures and magnification helps in the description of this truly fine Waltham Pocket Watch, now 131 years old.

The pristine Appleton Tracy Grade Movement is a size 18 measuring 2 ¼ inches in diameter and is stem wound and stem set. This is a 15 Jewel Movement a high jewel count for the day, most having a 7 or 11 jewel count. This is a very early Stem Set Movement; most movements were still Lever Set and Stem Wound. The Key Wound and Key Set Movements were being phased out. This fine movement is without reckless tool marks or corrosion. The Grade Appleton Tracy has again 15 fine Ruby Jewels, high-grade Church Regulator (1885), and Gold Balance Weights, screw Gold Jewel Cup Settings, adjusted to both heat and cold and is also adjusted to 3 positions. This was both the Gentlemen’s Dress Pocket Watch and the Service Pocket Watch of the day and is designed to be an incredibly accurate pocket watch, truly the scientific instrument of the day. This fine American Waltham Grade Appleton Tracy has just been serviced and is an excellent timekeeper as designed.

This Waltham Dial has the desired Roman Numerals, common before the turn of the century and uncommon after. The dial is referred to as double sunk and is made using three Copper Plates soldiered together. The three cooper plates are then baked with many layers of Silica giving the dial the deep rich porcelain finish. Then the numbers were hand screened and then baked again with clear Silica. These fine dials are truly works of art with a very fine porcelain finish. This dial does show years of appreciation and does have some crazing in the porcelain finish. This fine dial is highlighted with the original Blued Steel Spade/Spade Hands. This fine Waltham Pocket Watch shows beautifully and is sure to be appreciated for many generations to come.

This is another excellent example of the late 19th early 20th Century ingenuity that made the American Pocket Watch a worldwide standard for accuracy and beauty in timekeeping.

All Antique and Vintage Pocket Watches are cleaned, oiled and adjusted for accuracy and warranted for one full year from date of purchase.