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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1883 Size 18s Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This size 18s open-face pocket watch was produced by the American Waltham Watch Co. The auction house reports it houses a Model 1883, Grade No. 1 manual-wind movement with 7 jewels and serial number 5281427. The movement is cased in Silverode base metal nickel alloy manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co., bearing case serial number 279906 and engraved on the back with a locomotive scene. The white porcelain dial features Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the American Waltham Watch Co. size 18s open-face pocket watch showing the cracked dial, stained area, and remaining subseconds hand
Front view of the American Waltham Watch Co. size 18s open-face pocket watch showing the cracked dial, stained area, and remaining subseconds hand — Palmer's Auction Co. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Co.
Reference
Model 1883
Catalogue / lot identifier
0102
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
5281427

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

Dial and Physical Presentation

The open-face pocket watch features a white porcelain dial displaying Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. Inscribed "AMERICAN Waltham Watch Co." beneath 12 o'clock, the dial exhibits significant damage, including multiple severe hairline cracks traversing the enamel and a prominent orange-brown to yellowish-orange stain located between the 2 and 4 o'clock markers.

Both the primary hour and minute hands are missing, leaving the center mounting post exposed. A single dark blued subsidiary seconds hand remains positioned on the lower subdial. The protective front crystal is absent, exposing the dial surface directly.

Evidence for this section
  • “The white enamel dial is inscribed 'AMERICAN Waltham Watch Co.' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Severe hairline cracking extends across the porcelain dial, accompanied by an irregular yellowish-orange stain between the 2 and 4 o'clock markers.”
  • “The porcelain dial has multiple severe hairline cracks across the surface and a prominent orange-brown stain between the 2 and 4 o'clock positions.”
  • “The crystal and the main hour and minute hands are missing; the center post and seconds hand remain.”

Case Construction and Exterior Features

According to the auction catalog, the watch is fitted in an 18s size case measuring 2 1/8 inches in diameter. The case is composed of Silverode, identified in the listing as a base metal nickel alloy commonly used for utility watches, manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co.

The catalog records that the exterior back of the case features an engraving depicting a steam locomotive and tender on tracks, though this decoration is not shown in the provided front photograph. The interior of the case back is reported to contain the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. circular logo with a crown, a Silverode banner, case serial number 279906, and hand-scratched watchmaker service marks including "N7791". The seller notes that the case exhibits surface wear, scratching, and tarnishing throughout, with wear to the rear engraving.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case diameter: 2 1/8 inches (Size 18s).”
  • “The movement is housed in a Silverode case produced by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co., bearing case serial number 279906. Silverode is a base metal nickel alloy frequently used for utility watches.”
  • “The case back features a detailed engraving of a steam locomotive and tender on tracks.”
  • “The interior of the case back includes the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. circular logo with a crown, the Silverode banner, and hand-scratched watchmaker service marks including N7791.”
  • “The case shows significant surface wear, scratching, and tarnishing throughout, with notable wear to the locomotive engraving on the reverse.”

Movement Details and Seller Condition Assessment

The auctioneer describes the internal caliber as a Model 1883, Grade No. 1, 7-jewel full-plate manual-wind movement bearing serial number 5281427. The movement plates are reported to be engraved with "American Waltham Watch Co." and "Safety Pinion", though the movement itself is unpictured in the documentation.

Offered explicitly for parts or restoration, the watch is classified in poor condition with an unknown mechanical working status. The listing reports that the movement displays surface oxidation and tarnish alongside the damage and losses observed on the dial and case.

Evidence for this section
  • “The timepiece features a Model 1883, Grade No. 1, 7-jewel, full-plate manual wind movement, serial number 5281427.”
  • “The movement is engraved with American Waltham Watch Co. and Safety Pinion.”
  • “This watch is in poor condition and is being sold for parts or restoration.”
  • “The movement shows surface oxidation and tarnish. The working status is unknown.”

Open research questions

  • What is the mechanical integrity and complete parts inventory of the unphotographed Model 1883 movement?
  • Can direct examination of the case interior verify the reported Philadelphia Watch Case Co. hallmarks and 'N7791' service mark?
  • What is the visible state of the locomotive engraving on the reverse of the case, which is not depicted in the listing imagery?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1883 Size 18s Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement ModelModel 1883, Grade No. 1“Model 1883, Grade No. 1”
Movement Serial Number5281427“serial number 5281427”
Jewel Count7-jewel“7-jewel”
Case MaterialSilverode“Silverode is a base metal nickel alloy”
Case Serial Number279906“case serial number 279906”
Case MakerPhiladelphia Watch Case Co.“Philadelphia Watch Case Co.”
Case Diameter2 1/8 inches“Case diameter: 2 1/8 inches (Size 18s).”
Movement Plate ConfigurationFull-plate“7-jewel, full-plate manual wind movement”
Watchmaker Service InscriptionN7791“hand-scratched watchmaker service marks including N7791.”

Visible details

  • The watch dial is missing its primary hour and minute hands, leaving the exposed central mounting post.
  • The crystal is absent.
  • Severe hairline cracking extends across the porcelain dial, accompanied by an irregular yellowish-orange stain between the 2 and 4 o'clock markers.
  • A dark blued subsidiary seconds hand is present on the subdial at 6 o'clock.
  • The white enamel dial is inscribed 'AMERICAN Waltham Watch Co.' below 12 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and the locomotive engraving on the case back described in the auction text are not visible in the provided front photograph.
  • The source reports the watch is in poor condition, with unknown working status, offered for parts or restoration.

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

Consulted source

American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1883 Size 18s Pocket Watch With Locomotive Engraved Silverode Case - Sep 24, 2026 | Palmer's Auction Co In Ny

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 7313fd38ef

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

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