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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Sidereal pocket watch

Waltham 1892 Astronomical Sidereal Dial Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a white enamel 24-hour sidereal dial signed 'Waltham' and 'SIDEREAL' with blued steel hands. The source reports that it is powered by an 18-size, 19-jewel model 1892 full-plate nickel movement adjusted to five positions, serial number 18028559, designed to track sidereal time. The movement features gold train wheels, gold jewel settings, and a micrometer regulator. It is fitted in a white metal swing-out case with a coin-edge screw bezel, with the back cover reportedly engraved 'TS.2292'.

Front view of the Waltham sidereal 24-hour dial pocket watch in white metal case
Front view of the Waltham sidereal 24-hour dial pocket watch in white metal case — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Sidereal pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Waltham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-93434
Source-reported date
circa 1910
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
18028559

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 Visual Presentation

The pocket watch displays a white enamel dial marked with a continuous 24-hour track of Arabic numerals and an outer minute circle. The dial is signed 'Waltham, Sidereal' and displays blued steel hands, comprising a spade hour hand and a slender minute hand. A subsidiary seconds register is situated in the lower portion of the dial directly above the 12-hour marker.

The dial is housed under a bevelled mineral glass, encircled by a screw bezel bearing fine coin-edge knurling. The seller listing notes the presence of a small hairline crack situated between the 6 and 7 numeral positions, though the dial is otherwise presented in an open-face configuration with an onion-style crown and bow positioned at the 24-hour mark.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial featuring a 24-hour track with Arabic numerals and an outer minute track.”
  • “signed “Waltham, Sidereal””
  • “a small hairline on the 6-7”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Case Architecture and Markings

The timepiece is fitted in an open-face case constructed from an unidentified white metal, measuring 58 mm in diameter by 20 mm in depth. According to the seller's documentation, access to the movement is provided via a screw-off bezel allowing the mechanism to swing out of the case body.

The external surface of the case exhibits a smooth plain finish described by the dealer as having light marks and scratches. The exterior of the back cover is recorded by the vendor as being engraved with 'TS.2292', the institutional or personal origin of which is not documented in the source record.

Evidence for this section
  • “white metal open face case, which has a screw off bezel and the movement swings out of the case”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish and is engraved “TS.2292” on the back.”
  • “58mm wide x 20mm deep”
  • “a build up of light marks and scratches over the years creating a matt finish”

Reported Movement and Astronomical Configuration

The movement is not directly visible in the record photograph but is reported by the dealer as an 18-size, 19-jewel Waltham Model 1892 full-plate nickel calibre bearing serial number 18028559. It is described as stem-wound and lever-set, featuring damascening, a lever escapement, gold train wheels, large gold jewel settings, and a micrometer regulator set with a diamond endstone.

The calibre is described as configured for astronomical sidereal tracking. The dealer notes that the mechanism incorporates modified motion work under the dial to operate a true 24-hour dial and runs approximately 4 minutes faster per day relative to solar time. Waltham is stated in the listing to have produced 325 units of these watches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Only 325 of these pocket watches were produced by Waltham. They all have an 18s 19J 1892 grade movement with a true 24 hour dial which measures sidereal time as opposed to solar time.”
  • “signed “A.W.W.Co, Waltham Mass, 19 Jewels, Adjusted 5 positions” # 18028559”
  • “micrometer regulator with a diamond endstone, gold train wheels and large gold jewel settings”
  • “The watch measures sidereal time and thus works -4 minutes a day.”

Open research questions

  • What specific white metal alloy or silver grade was used to manufacture the swing-out case?
  • What is the historical or institutional significance of the engraving 'TS.2292' on the case back?
  • Can physical examination of movement serial number 18028559 confirm the presence of the diamond endstone and the five-position adjustment marking?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham 1892 Astronomical Sidereal Dial Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Model1892 grade“nickel full plate 1892 movement”
Jewel Count19 Jewels“19 Jewels, Adjusted 5 positions”
Movement Serial Number18028559“# 18028559”
Case EngravingTS.2292“engraved “TS.2292” on the back”
Dial SignatureWaltham, Sidereal“signed “Waltham, Sidereal””
Dimensions58mm wide x 20mm deep“58mm wide x 20mm deep”
Escapement and Setting TypeLever escapement; stem wound and lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Reported Production Total325 units“Only 325 of these pocket watches were produced by Waltham.”
Crystal MaterialBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring a 24-hour track with Arabic numerals and an outer minute track.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at the lower dial above the 12-hour numeral marker.
  • Blued steel spade hour hand and slender minute hand.
  • Bezel features fine coin-edge knurling surrounding a bevelled crystal.
  • Top bow with onion-style winding crown at the 24-hour position.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and case back are not shown in the image; movement details and case engravings are source-reported.
  • The specific alloy of the white metal case is not stated in the source.

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

Consulted source

Rare 18s 19J Waltham 1892 Astronomical SIDEREAL dial c1910 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f346de2371

Terms in this record

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