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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

Waltham Cal. Lorsa 238 manual-wind wristwatch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this vintage 1960s Waltham manual-wind wristwatch is powered by a 17-jewel Lorsa 238 caliber. The round case features a base metal bezel, a stainless steel case back, and measures 33.4 mm in diameter and 9.8 mm thick. The dial exhibits a champagne sunburst finish with applied gold-tone indices, Arabic numerals at 12 and 6, and a crosshair sub-seconds register above the 6 o'clock position. The case back is reported to be signed Waltham Watch Co., 'Swiss Made', and marked '556Y - 52' alongside 'B. 381 238'. It is fitted with an 18 mm leather strap.

Dial and case view of the Waltham manual-wind wristwatch with leather strap
Dial and case view of the Waltham manual-wind wristwatch with leather strap — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Waltham Watch Co.
Reference
556Y - 52
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-1273
Source-reported date
1960s
Country
France

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

Identity and Provenance

This timepiece is identified as a vintage Waltham manual-wind wristwatch. The source materials display conflicting regional information, listing the item as 'France Made' in the title and product metadata, while describing the case back as being signed 'Swiss Made'.

The watch is cataloged under SKU/lot number WA-1273. The manufacturing origin remains unverified due to the reported conflicting inscriptions on the exterior.

Evidence for this section
  • “1960's WALTHAM Watch Cal. Lorsa 238 France Made”
  • “Waltham Watch Co. France Made”
  • “Case Back Signed: Waltham Watch Co. Swiss Made”
  • “SKU: WA-1273”

Construction and Design

The watch features a case with a base metal bezel and a stainless steel back, measuring 33.4 mm in diameter and 9.8 mm in thickness. The lug width is recorded as 18 mm.

The dial has a champagne sunburst finish and features applied gold-tone indices with stylized Arabic numerals at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. A crosshair subsidiary seconds register is located above the 6 o'clock marker.

Evidence for this section
  • “Base Metal Bezel”
  • “Stainless Steel Back”
  • “Case Diameter 33.4”
  • “Case Thickness 9.8”
  • “Lug Width 18”
  • “sunburst champagne dial”
  • “gold tone hour marks”
  • “small second hand at 6”

Movement and Internal Markings

The watch is reported to contain a 17-jewel Lorsa 238 manual-wind movement. The case back is inscribed with the reference '556Y - 52' and the additional string 'B. 381 238'.

These internal specifications and markings are provided by the seller and were not independently verified through inspection of the movement or internal case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. Lorsa 238”
  • “17 Jewels”
  • “556Y - 52”
  • “B. 381 238”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the conflicting 'France Made' and 'Swiss Made' markings on Waltham-branded watches of this era?
  • Do the markings 'B. 381 238' on the case back correspond to known Waltham reference sequences or a specific French/Swiss production facility?
  • Can the inclusion of a Lorsa 238 movement be reconciled with historical Waltham watch production records?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Cal. Lorsa 238 manual-wind wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement CaliberCal. Lorsa 238“Cal. Lorsa 238”
Jewel Count17 Jewels“17 Jewels”
Case Diameter33.4 mm“Case Diameter 33.4”
Case Back Markings556Y - 52“556Y - 52”
Case Lug to Lug40 mm“Case Lug to Lug 40”

Visible details

  • Light-colored sunburst dial inscribed 'WALTHAM' and '17 JEWELS'
  • Applied gold-tone hour markers with stylized Arabic numerals at 12 and 6
  • Crosshair subsidiary seconds register located above the 6 o'clock marker
  • Gold-toned base metal bezel showing minor edge wear and surface marks
  • Reddish-brown textured leather strap attached via straight lugs

Research qualifications

  • Seller notes case back signed 'Swiss Made' while listing heading states 'France Made'
  • Movement and case back are not visible in the supplied single photograph

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

Consulted source

1960's WALTHAM Watch Cal. Lorsa 238 France Made – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record aa4175cf84

Terms in this record

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

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