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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch

American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Grade Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This American Waltham Watch Co. keyless pocket watch, produced between 1896 and 1899, is identified as a Riverside grade movement, serial number 6909662. Housed in a 14K gold four-body case featuring a fluted pattern in a bassine style, the watch displays a distinct translucent red enamel dial over engine-turned sunburst guilloché. The dial is accented with gold paillon Arabic numerals and a matching outer dot minute track, complemented by recessed subsidiary seconds and gold Louis XV hands. The mechanical movement is a 16-size nickel, half-plate caliber with damascening, 17 jewels in gold flush screwed settings, and a sapphire center jewel. Technical features include a straight-line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, and a Church type II patented micrometric regulator. The watch is signed on both the dial and movement, and the case number is recorded as 115472.

Front view of the American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Grade pocket watch with translucent red enamel dial.
Front view of the American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Grade pocket watch with translucent red enamel dial. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
491
Source-reported date
1896-1899
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
6909662

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 Construction

The watch is contained within a four-body case fabricated from 14K gold, identified by case number 115472. The exterior of the case is decorated with a distinct fluted pattern in the bassine style and incorporates a gold hinged cuvette to protect the movement.

The dial features an unusual translucent red enamel finish applied over a sunburst engine-turned pattern. It is appointed with gold paillon Arabic numerals and a gold dot paillon minute track. Additional details include recessed subsidiary seconds featuring gilt radial Arabic numerals and gold Louis XV style hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, No. 115472, "bassine" decorated with fluted pattern, gold hinged cuvette.”
  • “Translucent red enamel on "sunburst" engine turning, gold paillon Arabic numerals, outer gold dot paillon minute track, recessed subsidiary seconds with gilt radial Arabic numerals.”
  • “Red dials on American watches are exceptionally rare.”

Movement and Escapement

The 16-size movement is a nickel, half-plate construction featuring damascening in varied patterns. It is configured with 17 jewels set in gold flush screwed settings and incorporates a sapphire center jewel. The timepiece utilizes a straight-line lever escapement and a cut-bimetallic compensation balance, paired with a blued steel Breguet balance spring.

Regulation is managed by a Church type II patented micrometric regulator, indexed as patent number 484176. The movement also features a gold center wheel.

Evidence for this section
  • “16 size, nickel, half-plate, damascening in a variety of patterns, 17 jewels in gold flush screwed settings, sapphire center jewel, straight line lever escapement”
  • “Church type II patented (No. 484176) micrometric regulator, gold center wheel.”
  • “Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Signatures and Identifiers

The watch is clearly marked as an American Waltham Watch Co. product, with the company name appearing on both the dial and the movement. The serial number associated with the movement is 6909662.

The case and movement are individually numbered, serving as unique identifiers for the production.

Evidence for this section
  • “American Waltham Watch Co., No. 6909662, "Riverside" Grade”
  • “Signed on dial and movement.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production record for case number 115472?
  • How many Waltham watches were produced with red enamel dials during this period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Grade Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAmerican Waltham Watch Co.“American Waltham Watch Co.”
Movement Serial6909662“No. 6909662”
Case Number115472“No. 115472”
Date1896-1899“made 1896 - 1899”
Case Material14K gold“14K gold”
Movement Size16 size“16 size”
Jewels17 jewels“17 jewels in gold flush screwed settings”
Dial DescriptionTranslucent red enamel on sunburst engine turning“Translucent red enamel on "sunburst" engine turning”

Visible details

  • Translucent red enamel over engine-turned dial
  • Fluted bassine-style case pattern
  • Gold Louis XV style hands
  • Recessed subsidiary seconds dial

Research qualifications

  • Condition of movement requires an overhaul
  • Specific manufacturer date range is an approximation

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

Consulted source

American Waltham Watch Co., No. 6909662, "Riverside" Grade, made 1896 - 1899.Very fine and rare, 14K gold, keyless watch with an unusual dial.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record ac21f8ca30

Terms in this record

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

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