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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunting-cased keyless watch

American Waltham Watch Co. Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This American Waltham Watch Co. hunting-cased, keyless pocket watch, numbered 5409635, dates to between 1892 and 1894. The watch features a Model 1883, Grade 15 movement, which is an 18-size, frosted gilt, full-plate caliber. It incorporates 15 jewels with flush settings, a lateral counterpoised lever escapement, and a cut-bimetallic compensation balance with a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The movement includes a Church type I patented micro-metric regulator and a safety pinion. The case is a four-body "bassine et filets" configuration, manufactured by the Brooklyn Watch Case Co., numbered 724901. It is crafted from 14K gold with an engraved floral and foliate pattern, a vermicelli band, and a gold hinged cuvette. The watch is distinguished by its white enamel O'Hara dial, which displays gold paillon decoration and a recessed sunk sub-seconds dial.

Front view of the 14K gold American Waltham hunting-case pocket watch showing the O'Hara dial and engraved case cover.
Front view of the 14K gold American Waltham hunting-case pocket watch showing the O'Hara dial and engraved case cover. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Hunting-cased keyless watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Co.
Reference
Model 1883, Grade 15
Catalogue / lot identifier
457
Source-reported date
1892-1894
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
5409635

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in a four-body "bassine et filets" case made of 14K gold by the Brooklyn Watch Case Co. The exterior covers feature flat surfaces adorned with engraved floral and foliate patterns set against a circular engine-turned background. The back cover incorporates a depiction of a house. The case sides are finished with a vermicelli band, and the interior includes a gold hinged cuvette.

The dial is a white enamel, overglazed O'Hara example. It is detailed with gold paillons, including a recessed sunk sub-seconds register also decorated with gold paillons. The time is indicated by blued steel spade hands. The dial is signed by the American Waltham Watch Co.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Four-body, "bassine et filets" by Brooklyn Watch Case Co, No. 724901 with flat covers engraved with floral and foliate pattern on circular engine turning background, back engraved with a house, vermicelli band, gold hinged cuvette.”
  • “D. White enamel, overglazed, with gold paillon recessed sunk sub-seconds also decorated with gold paillons. Blued steel "Spade" hands.”

Movement

The movement is an 18-size, frosted gilt, full-plate construction comprising 15 jewels set in flush settings. The escapement is a lateral counterpoised lever system paired with a cut-bimetallic compensation balance and a blued steel Breguet balance spring.

Technical features include a Church type I patented (No. 312,253) micro-metric regulator and a safety pinion. The watch utilizes a lever-set system incorporating a Church disengaged intermediate wheel patented (No. 295484) system. The movement is signed.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 18 size, frosted gilt, full plate, 15 jewels with flush settings, lateral counterpoised lever esca-pement, cut-bimetallic comensation balance with blued steel Bre-guet balance spring, Church type I patented (No. 312,253) micro-metric regulator, safety pinion, lever-set with Church disengaged intermediate wheel patented (No. 295484) system.”

Condition and Attribution

The auction description reports the watch to be from the period 1892 to 1894. According to the auction house's grading system, the watch is classified with a grade of 'AAA Excellent', though specific component assessments are provided as 'Good' for the case and 'Good' for the movement.

The dial is noted as having condition 2. The authenticity is attested to by the auction house's cataloging as an American Waltham Watch Co. product.

Evidence for this section
  • “made between 1892-94.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 2 - 01”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the 'O'Hara' dial manufacturing process in relation to American Waltham watches?
  • Does the engraving of a specific house on the case back relate to the original owner or a commemorative purpose?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for American Waltham Watch Co. Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAmerican Waltham Watch Co.“American Waltham Watch Co.”
Movement Serial Number5409635“No. 5409635”
Case Serial Number724901“No. 724901”
Case MakerBrooklyn Watch Case Co.“Brooklyn Watch Case Co”
Movement TypeModel 1883, Grade 15“Model 1883, Grade 15”
Dial TypeO'Hara dial“un-usual O'Hara dial”
Diameter53 mm“Diam. 53 mm.”

Visible details

  • Case features engraved house on the back cover
  • Dial decorated with gold paillons
  • Movement signed by American Waltham Watch Co.
  • Blued steel spade-style hands

Research qualifications

  • Movement requires maintenance according to auction condition report
  • Specific origin of the house engraving not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

American Waltham Watch Co., No. 5409635, Model 1883, Grade 15, made between 1892-94.Very rare, 14K gold, hunting-cased, keyless watch with an un-usual O'Hara dial.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record fd46b124e7

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.