Keystone Watchcase Serial # 8376644. Good working condition.
unknown
Hello Joshua,
Since I have not heard from you, I will proceed with your watch appraisal from the photos and information you supplied. Thank you for sending it into mearto.com for an appraisal.
TITLE:
Gent’s, 14k gold filled, pendant wound and pendant/lever set open face pocket watch, grade unknown, size unknown, serial number unknown, made by the American Waltham Watch Company, Waltham Ma. USA, circa 1890-1910.
DESCRIPTION:
Case: Size not provided – This is a keyless, three leaf, 14k gold filled open face pocket watch with an engine turned back cover, the engine turning in a circular pattern with a shield shaped cameo for the owner’s initials (blank at this time). There is a fluted suppressed ball git pendant and round bow placed at the twelve-position relative to the dial. The inside of the rear cover carries the Keystone name on a banner (illegible in photo) above the scales of justice with a crown above. {This logo pertained to the James Boss early trademark for a gold-filled case, using a micron or two of 14k gold placed above and below the base metal case so that it would appear like solid gold with a gilt surface finish guaranteed to last at least 25 years. When Keystone (Philadelphia company) purchased the name and right to use it they continued to use the Boss trademark now as their own. (see History below.) The keystone case number is 8376644. The cuvette or movement cover is polished and not engraved. The inside of the cuvette is not shown.
Dial: White enameled triple-sunk dial with upright Arabic hours, open bar minute track with red Arabic markers placed every five minutes around the periphery of the dial. There is a sunken subsidiary seconds’ dial @6, Continental type Spade hands and the upper dial is signed, ‘Waltham’.
Movement: NOT SHOWN – size unknown. The movement is most likely a split three-quarter plate movement, jeweled, keyless with pendant wound spring, exposed ratchet and crown wheels, balance wheel and index regulator. The movement should be signed by Waltham and may be a named model and would carry a Waltham serial number which would help to date the watch.
Condition:
Case – Several areas of patchy darkening on the engine turned cover while the cuvette and inside of the outer cover are in excellent condition.
Dial – An excellent triple sunk dial with no hairline fractures.
Movement – Not evaluated but for purposes of the appraisal will be considered original to this case, genuine and functional.
HISTORY:
Waltham Watch Company -
This American company was the first to produce watches by the machined use of interchangeable parts. This was the vision of the founders of the company; Aaron Dennison, David Davis and Edward Howard. The initial company was located at Roxbury, Mass. in 1851, and was called the Warren Manufacturing Company. The business moved to Waltham, Ma in 1854 and the name had just been changed to the Boston Watch Company. That business failed in 1857 and was sold at a sheriff's sale, reorganized and called Appleton, Tracy and Company. In 1859 the Waltham Improvement Company merged with Appleton, Tracy to form the American Watch Company. Between 1859 and 1885 the firm operated under that corporate name. These early watches were key wound. Stem winding was introduced in 1870. The last key wound watches were produced in 1919. In 1885 the name was changed to the American Waltham Watch Company. In 1906 it became the Waltham Watch Company and in 1923 the Waltham Watch and Clock Company. Production ceased in 1950.
COMPARABLES:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/87006476_pocket-watches (sold in 2020 for $120)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/87075891_2-waltham-gold-filled-pocket-watches (two gold filled Waltham watches failed to reach the minimum of $300 and failed t sell in 2020)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/87850060_waltham-colonial-pocketwatch (sold for $35 in July 2020)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/85523761_pocket-watch-by-waltham-co (sold for $150 in 2020)
PRICING:
The American pocket watch market has fallen drastically over the past two decades. Rarely does a non-solid gold Waltham bring more than $175- $200 and then only with a special movement or name on it. Your example could have a rare movement but I have no way of knowing that. The condition of the dial and case is excellent and if any example might reach $200 this example may, based purely on condition. I believe that assuming an average type of Waltham movement and with the case and dial as they currently appear, the fair market value if you sold this at auction would be in the range of $150-$200.
Thank you for choosing mearto.com for your appraisal. Enjoy your watch and best of luck to you.
My best,
David
Good morning Joshua,
Did you receive my e-mail? Please acknowledge receipt of same
Also, can you tell me the diameter of the watch case.
If I do not hear back from you I will proceed with the appraisal with what you first gave me.
Than you,
David
Hi Joshua,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. The case number is 8376644 and that is NOT the serial number of the watch. The serial number of your watch is found on the movement.
(1) - Can you provide me with a photo of the movement and the true serial number from the movement?
By doing that I can give you a more precise idea of the fair market value of this watch.
(2) - Please see if you can get a better photo of the Scales of Justice on the inner cover and include the Keystone logo. It is fuzzy because of the the reflection. Try to focus on the one cover without including the other.
I will get this done for you as soon as I hear back.
Thank you,
David