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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch

Waltham Model 1883 Grade 825 Hunting Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 1903 American Waltham Watch Co. size 18s pocket watch features a grade 825, model 1883 manual-wind lever-set movement fitted with 17 jewels. The timepiece is housed in a 54.7 mm 14K yellow gold-filled engraved Kenosha hunting case numbered 300460 and inscribed 'G. J. W. Gittins'. The white dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track accented with red five-minute designations, and blued steel hands with a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The source notes that the front bezel and crystal are absent.

Dial and open front hunter case of the Waltham pocket watch
Dial and open front hunter case of the Waltham pocket watch — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 825, Model 1883
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3890
Source-reported date
1903
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
12472633

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

Direct observation of the timepiece reveals an open hinged hunter front cover, exposing a white dial that is completely unprotected due to the absence of a front bezel and crystal. The dial features black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track demarcated with black intervals and red five-minute designations, and blued steel hands with a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock.

The winding crown is oriented at the 3 o'clock position, standard for a hunting-case configuration. Decorative engraving is visibly present around the outer rim of the case and upon the bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hinged front cover is open, revealing the dial without a protective crystal or front bezel”
  • “Blued steel hands and subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position”
  • “Engraved detailing visible around the outer case rim and bow”

Case Construction and Dimensions

According to the seller's documentation, the round case measures 54.7 mm across, extending to 70.3 mm including the crown, with an overall thickness of 17.8 mm. The case is composed of 14K yellow gold fill and features engraved decoration across its exterior surfaces.

Interior case back markings are reported by the seller as reading "KENOSHA 300460" along with an engraved personal inscription reading "G. J. W. Gittins". These interior markings are not visible in the provided image documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “All in 14K yellow gold filled.”
  • “Measurements (mm): Case 54.7 Case w/Crown 70.3 Case Thickness 17.8”
  • “Case Back Markings: KENOSHA 300460 "G. J. W. Gittins"”

Movement Specifications and Dating

The seller describes the internal mechanism as an American Waltham Watch Co. size 18s, Model 1883, Grade 825 movement. It is reported to be a manual-wind, lever-set mechanical caliber equipped with 17 jewels and bearing movement serial number 12472633.

The vendor dates the watch to 1903 based on these reported movement specifications. However, as the movement chamber is not depicted in the source photography, the caliber's layout, finish, and serial markings cannot be independently audited.

Evidence for this section
  • “grade 825 model 1883, 18s”
  • “Movement: American Waltham Watch Co. 17 Jewels 12472633”
  • “dated from the 1903!”

Condition and Incomplete Elements

The watch is sold with missing structural components. Specifically, both the front protective crystal and the front bezel assembly are entirely absent, leaving the dial and hands exposed.

While the seller claims the mechanical components are functioning and operational, no timing machine readings, amplitude data, or service history are supplied to verify performance.

Evidence for this section
  • “No crystal, no bezel.”
  • “The condition is pre-owned. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.”

Open research questions

  • What specific bezel thread or snap design is required to properly seat a replacement bezel and crystal onto this Kenosha hunting case?
  • Can direct inspection of movement serial number 12472633 verify the reported Grade 825 designation and 1903 production year in Waltham factory ledger records?
  • Does the case serial number 300460 align with Kenosha case production records, and can the inscribed name 'G. J. W. Gittins' be traced historically?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Model 1883 Grade 825 Hunting Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial Number12472633“12472633”
Movement Jewels17 Jewels“17 Jewels”
Size and Model18s, Model 1883, Grade 825“grade 825 model 1883, 18s”
Case InscriptionKENOSHA 300460 "G. J. W. Gittins"“KENOSHA 300460 "G. J. W. Gittins"”
Case Material14K yellow gold filled“All in 14K yellow gold filled.”
Missing ComponentsNo crystal, no bezel“No crystal, no bezel.”
Case Thickness17.8 mm“Case Thickness 17.8”
Total Width Including Crown70.3 mm“Case w/Crown 70.3”

Visible details

  • Hinged front cover is open, revealing the dial without a protective crystal or front bezel
  • Blued steel hands and subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position
  • Engraved detailing visible around the outer case rim and bow
  • Crown positioned at 3 o'clock configuration standard for hunter movements

Research qualifications

  • The front bezel and crystal are noted as entirely missing from the watch
  • The movement and interior case back markings are described in text but not shown in the provided images

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

Consulted source

1903 WALTHAM Waltham Pocket Watch 18s 17 Jewels Grade 825 - VERY RARE – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9945d70df5

Terms in this record

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

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