Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad open face pocket watch

Waltham Vanguard 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 16-size American railroad grade pocket watch was manufactured by the Waltham Watch Co around 1942. According to the seller, it is powered by a stem-wound, lever-set nickel three-quarter plate movement featuring a lever escapement, 23 jewels, adjustment to six positions, and movement serial number 30842217. The mechanism is mounted in an open-face Waltham Premier 10K rolled gold plate case with stepped sides and a screw-on bezel and back, measuring 50 mm wide by 14 mm deep. The white enamel dial features black Arabic hour markers, diamond-shaped five-minute accents, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Dial view of the Waltham Vanguard 23-jewel railroad pocket watch
Dial view of the Waltham Vanguard 23-jewel railroad pocket watch — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad open face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Waltham Watch Co
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.108 (AB-176491)
Source-reported date
c1942
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
30842217

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 featuring black Arabic numerals paired with diamond-shaped indicators positioned around the outer track at five-minute marks. A dedicated subsidiary seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock, complemented by blued steel hands. The dial face is inscribed 'WALTHAM PREMIER' and 'VANGUARD 23 JEWELS'.

Visual inspection reveals a yellow gold-toned case fitted with a fluted winding crown and a rectangular articulated bow. The listing reports that the watch is fitted with a mineral glass crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial inscribed 'WALTHAM PREMIER' and 'VANGUARD 23 JEWELS'”
  • “Arabic numerals with diamond-shaped indicators at five-minute positions”
  • “Blued steel hands with subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock”
  • “Yellow gold-toned case with a fluted winding crown and rectangular articulated bow”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”

Reported Movement and Operating Features

According to the dealer's description, the watch is stem wound and lever set, driven by a nickel three-quarter plate movement featuring a lever escapement. The movement is reported by the seller to be signed 'Vanguard, Waltham, USA, 23 Jewels, Adjusted 6 Positions' with serial number 30842217.

Because internal movement photographs are not provided in the record, the caliber layout, jewel count, and movement serial inscription cannot be independently verified from the dial image.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “Movement – the nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement and is signed “Vanguard, Waltham, USA, 23 Jewels, Adjusted 6 Positions” # 30842217.”

Casing and Dimensions

The listing reports that the movement is housed in a 'Waltham Premier, 10K rolled gold plate open face case which has a screw on back and bezel'. It is described as having milled stepped sides with a smooth plain finish on the back.

The watch measures 50 mm in width by 14 mm in depth according to the seller's provided dimensions. Any internal case stamps or manufacturer trademarks remain unrecorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case – the movement comes in a Waltham Premier, 10K rolled gold plate open face case which has a screw on back and bezel.”
  • “The case has milled stepped sides with a smooth plain finish on the back.”
  • “The watch measures 50mm wide x 14mm deep”

Open research questions

  • What specific manufacturer markings, trademarks, or serial numbers are stamped on the interior of the screw-on case back?
  • Does direct inspection of movement #30842217 verify the reported 23 jewels, 6-position adjustment, and three-quarter plate nickel construction?
  • Does the lever-set mechanism beneath the screw-off bezel function properly and match factory Waltham specifications?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Vanguard 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWaltham Watch Co“This is an American rail road grade pocket watch made by the Waltham Watch Co”
Movement InscriptionVanguard, Waltham, USA, 23 Jewels, Adjusted 6 Positions # 30842217“signed “Vanguard, Waltham, USA, 23 Jewels, Adjusted 6 Positions” # 30842217”
Dimensions50mm wide x 14mm deep“The watch measures 50mm wide x 14mm deep”
Winding and SettingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Case Specification10K rolled gold plate open-face case with screw-on back and bezel“Waltham Premier, 10K rolled gold plate open face case which has a screw on back and bezel”
Case Flank DetailMilled stepped sides with smooth plain finish on back“The case has milled stepped sides with a smooth plain finish on the back.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial inscribed 'WALTHAM PREMIER' and 'VANGUARD 23 JEWELS'
  • Arabic numerals with diamond-shaped indicators at five-minute positions
  • Blued steel hands with subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock
  • Yellow gold-toned case with a fluted winding crown and rectangular articulated bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement plate details, jewel count, and serial number are not visible in the photograph and rely entirely on the seller's documentation
  • Case interior and case back inscriptions are not depicted

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

Consulted source

16 size 23 Jewel Waltham Vanguard rail road pocket watch.c1942 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6a0f04b1f8

Terms in this record

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