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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Character wristwatch

New Haven Clock Company Little Orphan Annie Character Wristwatch

Partially verified

This vintage character wristwatch is reported by the source as manufactured by the New Haven Clock Company in the United States, dating from the 1930s or 1940s. It features a tonneau-shaped metal case described by the seller as stainless steel, paired with a distinct winding crown. The yellow painted dial depicts Harold Gray's comic character Little Orphan Annie in a red dress, signed 'HAROLD GRAY' and 'MADE IN U.S.A.' The dial is completed by black Breguet-style numerals, an outer rectangular minute track, and open syringe-style hands without a seconds hand. The source reports a manual-wind pin-lever movement and notes the watch is fitted with a replacement brown leather strap.

Front view of New Haven Clock Company Little Orphan Annie character wristwatch
Front view of New Haven Clock Company Little Orphan Annie character wristwatch — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Character wristwatch
Maker / attribution
New Haven Clock Company
Reference
WA-2316
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1930s/1940s
Country
United States

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

Object Identification and Context

This vintage character wristwatch is attributed to the New Haven Clock Company. The retailer identifies the subject as a piece featuring the comic character Little Orphan Annie, noting production by the company began in 1937 and dating this example to the 1930s or 1940s.

The timepiece features a tonneau-shaped case reported as stainless steel. The listing specifies the case measures approximately 28.5 x 31 mm and indicates the absence of case markings.

Evidence for this section
  • “New Haven Clock Company began making the Little Orphan Annie wristwatches in 1937.”
  • “This is an excellent character collection timepiece featuring Little Orphan Annie from the 1930s/1940s, made by New Haven Clock Company!”
  • “The tonneau case is stainless steel and measures approximately 28 x 31 mm.”
  • “There are no case markings.”
  • “Case dimensions: 28.5 x 31”

Dial and Visual Features

The dial is a painted metal surface featuring an illustration of Little Orphan Annie wearing a red dress and black Mary Jane shoes. Inscriptions on the dial include 'Harold Gray' and 'Made in U.S.A.'

The dial layout includes black Breguet-style numerals, a rectangular railroad-style minute track, and syringe-style hour and minute hands. A seconds hand is not present.

Evidence for this section
  • “The pained metal dial features the adorable Little Orphan Annie in her red dress and black Mary Janes”
  • “It is signed Harold Gray and Made in U.S.A.”
  • “The Breguet numerals are black as is the minute track and syringe-shaped hour and minute hands. There is no second hand.”

Mechanism and Components

The watch is described as containing a manual-wind, U.S.-made pin-lever movement. The movement remains internal and is not visible in the provided source imagery.

The case includes a textured crown at the 3 o'clock position. The current brown leather strap is identified as a replacement.

Evidence for this section
  • “It is manual-wind and has a pin lever movement.”
  • “The U.S.A. made movement is simple in design”
  • “It comes on a new two-piece brown leather strap”

Open research questions

  • Does the lack of case markings align with known production standards for New Haven Clock Company character watches of this era?
  • Can the 'stainless steel' description be corroborated, or is the case typically base metal with a steel back?
  • What specific technical characteristics define the 'U.S.-made' pin-lever movement mentioned in the source?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for New Haven Clock Company Little Orphan Annie Character Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerNew Haven Clock Company“made by New Haven Clock Company!”
SKUWA-2316“SKU: WA-2316”
Case MaterialStainless steel“The tonneau case is stainless steel”
Movement TypeManual-wind pin lever movement“It is manual-wind and has a pin lever movement.”
Dial SignaturesHarold Gray and Made in U.S.A.“It is signed Harold Gray and Made in U.S.A.”
SKUWA-2316“SKU: WA-2316”
Case Lug to Lug38.4 mm“Case Lug to Lug: 38.4”
Case Thickness11.3 mm“Case Thickness: 11.3”

Visible details

  • Tonneau-shaped metallic case with surface scratches and edge wear
  • Yellow-toned dial featuring an illustration of Little Orphan Annie in a red dress
  • Dial inscriptions reading 'HAROLD GRAY' to the right of Annie and 'MADE IN U.S.A' at the bottom
  • Black Arabic Breguet-style numerals and rectangular railroad minute track
  • Open syringe-style hour and minute hands; no second hand
  • Textured crown situated at the 3 o'clock position
  • Brown textured leather strap attached via spring or fixed lugs

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the photograph; movement specifications rely entirely on seller statements
  • Seller notes the leather strap is a replacement

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

Consulted source

Vintage NEW HAVEN CLOCK COMPANY LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE Character Wristwat – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 4a25ef0605

Terms in this record

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