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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad-grade pocket watch

Waltham Vanguard 23-Jewel Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Waltham Vanguard pocket watch is identified as a railroad grade timepiece. The watch features a 23-jewel movement equipped with an Ohlson patent regulator (1908) and screw-set gold jewel cups. The silver case, constructed by Aaron Dennison, is dated to 1918 based on hallmarking. The watch measures 48 mm in diameter. The dial is a white, double-sunk type featuring Art Deco style Roman numerals, black one-minute markers, a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position, and blue heat-treated spade hands. The movement plates are decorated with fine engravings and Gothic-style lettering with gold plating. The case back has a circular patterned finish and a blank central shield. The auction description reports the watch is in running condition, though specifics regarding recent service history remain undisclosed.

Front view of the Waltham Vanguard 23-jewel railroad pocket watch showing the dial and spade hands.
Front view of the Waltham Vanguard 23-jewel railroad pocket watch showing the dial and spade hands. — Ashton-Blakey Antiques / Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad-grade pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Waltham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1918
Source-reported place
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

Movement and Technical Features

The watch is driven by a 23-jewel railroad grade movement. It incorporates an Ohlson patent regulator, which was introduced in 1908.

The movement plates are finished with decorative engraving and gold plating. The identifying markings on the plates are executed in a Gothic-style font, often referred to as Old English. The mechanism is a stem-wound type, protected by an internal silver dust cover, ensuring the integrity of the internal components during regular use.

Evidence for this section
  • “مکانیزم این ساعت با سیستم کوک دستی از طریق دسته (Stem-wound) عمل کرده”
  • “۲۳ قطعه سنگ جواهری مجهز است که با تنظیم‌کننده دارای پتنت سال ۱۹۰۸ اولسون (Ohlson) تکمیل می‌شود”
  • “سنگ‌های جواهری سوارشده در پایه‌های طلایی پیچ‌شده (Screw-set jewel cups)”
  • “روی صفحات مکانیزم نیز نوشته‌هایی با خط گوتیک (Old English) و آبکاری طلا مشاهده می‌شود”

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in a 48 mm silver case attributed to the workshop of Aaron Dennison. The case is English-made and retains hallmark stamps that verify a production date of 1918. The exterior back of the case features a decorative circular pattern surrounding a vacant shield, intended for custom personalization or monogramming.

The dial is a white, double-sunk configuration, a method used to provide depth and legibility. It is adorned with Roman numerals in a style categorized as Art Deco, complemented by blue heat-treated spade hands. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the bottom, consistent with standard railroad watch configurations of the period.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب نقره‌ای این قطعه، ساختی انگلیسی از کارگاه آرون دنیسون (Aaron Dennison) است”
  • “تاریخ ساخت آن بر این اساس به سال ۱۹۱۸ میلادی بازمی‌گردد”
  • “صفحه ساعت از نوع فرورفته دوگانه (Double sunk) به رنگ سفید”
  • “عقربه‌های بیلی (Spade) حرارت‌دیده به رنگ آبی تزیین شده است”

Condition and Attribution

According to the auction description, the watch is currently in running condition. No specific data regarding the frequency of servicing or the daily accuracy of the movement has been provided.

The seller provides these details as technical information but notes that they have not independently verified the authenticity or performance. The attribution of the case and movement remains consistent with the provided hallmarks and the manufacturer's model specifications.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساعت در وضعیت عملکردی بسیار عالی (Running condition) قرار دارد”
  • “کلیه اطلاعات و مشخصات فنی ارائه‌شده در این متن مستقیماً بر اساس ادعای فروشنده و منبع اولیه گردآوری شده است”

Open research questions

  • Does the serial number on the movement match the period suggested by the case hallmarks?
  • What specific hallmark symbols are present on the silver case that correlate with 1918 English production?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Vanguard 23-Jewel Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWaltham“ساخت کمپانی والتهام (Waltham)”
Jewel count23“۲۳ قطعه سنگ جواهری”
RegulatorOhlson patent 1908“تنظیم‌کننده دارای پتنت سال ۱۹۰۸ اولسون (Ohlson)”
Case MakerAaron Dennison“ساختی انگلیسی از کارگاه آرون دنیسون (Aaron Dennison)”
Case date1918“تاریخ ساخت آن بر این اساس به سال ۱۹۱۸ میلادی بازمی‌گردد”
Case diameter48 mm“قطر کلی قاب ۴۸ میلی‌متر گزارش شده”
Dial typeDouble-sunk“صفحه ساعت از نوع فرورفته دوگانه (Double sunk) به رنگ سفید”

Visible details

  • Spade-shaped hands finished in blue
  • Engraved Gothic-style text on movement bridges
  • Decorative shield on the exterior of the case back
  • Double-sunk white dial

Research qualifications

  • Seller provides no documentation on recent mechanical service or timing performance
  • Provenance of the piece is not stated in the source

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی نقره Waltham Vanguard ۲۳ جواهر

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 252cfab948

Terms in this record

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

Other railroad-grade pocket watch records