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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Waltham Riverside Maximus 16s 23-jewel pocket watch in display case

Partially verified

This antique American Waltham open-face pocket watch features a 16-size, 23-jewel Model 1899 Riverside Maximus bridge movement dating to circa 1902. The nickel movement is fitted with raised gold jewel settings, gold train wheels, a diamond endstone, damascening decoration, a lever escapement, and a micrometer regulator. It is housed in an open-face metal display case engraved with 'Waltham Watch Co' along the inner bezel, equipped with snap-on mineral glass front and back covers designed to showcase the mechanism. The watch is completed by a double-sunk white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and blued steel hands.

Rear exhibition view displaying the damascened Waltham Riverside Maximus 23-jewel movement through the mineral glass back
Rear exhibition view displaying the damascened Waltham Riverside Maximus 23-jewel movement through the mineral glass back — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Co.
Reference
Model 1899
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.78 (AB-86855)
Source-reported date
c. 1902
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
12058367

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

Movement Construction and Specification

The timepiece contains a nickel bridge Model 1899 movement serial numbered 12058367. Visual observations record damascening across the bridge plates, an exposed balance assembly, and engraved movement inscriptions matching the serial number.

According to the dealer listing, the movement is a 23-jewel, adjusted railroad-grade calibre equipped with a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, raised gold jewel settings, gold train wheels, and a diamond endstone. The movement plate is signed: "A.W.W.Co, Waltham, Mass, Riverside, Maximus, 23 Jewels, Adjusted".

Evidence for this section
  • “Bridge plate damascening and movement engraving matching serial number 12058367”
  • “Winding crown, loop bow, and exposed balance assembly clearly visible through the rear glass”
  • “nickel bridge 1899 movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator. The movement has raised gold jewel settings, gold train wheels, a diamond endstone and is decorated with damascening. The movement is signed “A.W.W.Co, Waltham, Mass, Riverside, Maximus, 23 Jewels, Adjusted” # 12058367”
  • “This is an American railroad grade approved pocket watch”

Case Configuration and Display Features

The movement is housed in an open-face metal display case measuring 51 mm wide by 15 mm deep with a smooth plain finish. It features snap-on front and rear covers fitted with mineral glass, exposing the dial and movement.

Visual observation notes engraving along the rim reading "WALTHAM WATCH CO", matching the dealer description that the case is signed "Waltham Watch Co". The dealer describes this type of housing as a salesman display case historically used to show movements and dials to prospective buyers without removing the case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “Engraving along the movement rim reads 'WALTHAM WATCH CO'”
  • “metal open face display case, which has a snap on back and front. The case has a smooth plain finish, is signed “Waltham Watch Co””
  • “The watch measures 51mm wide x 15mm deep”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass back and front”
  • “salesmen from the watch companies would visit shops to show the latest models and rather house them in cases, where the back would have to be removed, they used these cases which had a snap on back with a glass back so the dial and movement were visible”

Dial and Setting Mechanism

The pocket watch is stem-wound and stem-set, with a pendant winding crown and loop bow visible in observation.

The dial is described in the dealer record as a double-sunk white enamel dial fitted with a complete set of blued steel hands. No direct view of the dial face is provided in the available photograph, leaving specific numeral typography and markings unobserved.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “Winding crown, loop bow, and exposed balance assembly clearly visible through the rear glass”
  • “Dial – the white enamel dial is double sunk and has a full set of blue steel hands.”

Open research questions

  • What hour numeral style (Arabic or Roman) and subdial markings are present on the white enamel dial?
  • Are there manufacturer hallmarks, serial stamps, or metal purity marks on the interior or snap bezels of the display case?
  • Do factory production records confirm serial number 12058367 was delivered uncased or specifically earmarked for a salesman display frame?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Riverside Maximus 16s 23-jewel pocket watch in display case
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Serial Number12058367“# 12058367”
Jewel Count23 Jewels“23 Jewels, Adjusted”
Movement InscriptionA.W.W.Co, Waltham, Mass, Riverside, Maximus, 23 Jewels, Adjusted“signed “A.W.W.Co, Waltham, Mass, Riverside, Maximus, 23 Jewels, Adjusted””
Case Dimensions51mm wide x 15mm deep“51mm wide x 15mm deep”
Case TypeSalesman display case with mineral glass front and back“metal open face display case, which has a snap on back and front”
Winding and SettingStem-wound and stem-set“The watch is stem wound / stem set”
Railroad Grade StatusSeller reported as railroad grade approved“This is an American railroad grade approved pocket watch”
Movement ModelModel 1899“nickel bridge 1899 movement”

Visible details

  • Bridge plate damascening and movement engraving matching serial number 12058367
  • Engraving along the movement rim reads 'WALTHAM WATCH CO'
  • Winding crown, loop bow, and exposed balance assembly clearly visible through the rear glass

Research qualifications

  • Originality of the salesman display case to the movement cannot be verified beyond seller description.
  • Internal case markings are not fully visible under the snap-on bezel.

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

Consulted source

16s 23 Jewel Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch c1902 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e94669feae

Terms in this record

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

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