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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Waltham Vanguard Railroad Pocket Watch, Model 1908, 16s

Partially verified

This open-face Waltham Vanguard railroad pocket watch dates to circa 1949 and is built on a 16s Model 1908 platform. Housed in a 50.8 mm 10K yellow gold-filled Keystone case, it features a textured bezel, bow, and winding crown at 12 o'clock. The white dial displays bold black Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock with ten-second increments. According to the seller, it is powered by a manual-wind 23-jewel Vanguard mechanical movement adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and five positions.

Front view of the Waltham Vanguard pocket watch showing dial, blued hands, and textured bezel
Front view of the Waltham Vanguard pocket watch showing dial, blued hands, and textured bezel — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Waltham Watch Company
Reference
Model 1908
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3901
Source-reported date
1949
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
8074834

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 is configured in an open-face style with the winding crown and bow situated at the 12 o'clock position. The white dial displays bold black Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, and blued steel spade hands. Positioned at 6 o'clock is a subsidiary seconds register featuring a bold track marked with Arabic numerals at each 10-second interval.

Below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'WALTHAM' and 'VANGUARD 23 JEWELS'. The surrounding bezel exhibits a distinct knurled, textured pattern, framing the crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face pocket watch configuration with crown and bow at the 12 o'clock position.”
  • “Dial signed 'WALTHAM' and 'VANGUARD 23 JEWELS' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Bezel features a distinct knurled textured pattern.”

Case Construction and Markings

The timepiece is housed in a round 10K yellow gold-filled case measuring 50.8 mm in diameter, 56.6 mm including the crown, and 14 mm in thickness. The seller notes that the case features detailed engravings.

According to the listing transcript, the case back is marked 'Waltham Keystone 10K Gold Filled 8074834'. The number 8074834 serves as the recorded case serial marking, rather than an internal movement serial number.

Evidence for this section
  • “Housed in a 50.8mm round case, this timepiece is crafted from 10K yellow gold fill and features detailed engravings, adding to its classic appeal.”
  • “Case Back Markings: Waltham Keystone 10K Gold Filled 8074834”
  • “Measurements (mm): Case 50.8 Case w/Crown 56.6 Case Thickness 14”

Source-Reported Movement Specifications

The mechanical movement is reported by the seller to be a manual-wind Grade Vanguard built on a 16s Model 1908 platform. It is described as a lever-set mechanism made in the U.S.A., equipped with 23 jewels.

The seller specifies that the movement is marked 'Vanguard Waltham U.S.A. 23 Jewels 8 Adjustments', having been adjusted for temperature, isochronism, and five positions. The listing dates the watch to 1949, though the movement itself is neither illustrated nor directly visible in the catalog imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “powered by an original Waltham mechanical movement, Grade Vanguard. Featuring 23 jewels, a sub-second hand, and a lever-set design, it is a Model 1908, Size 16s.”
  • “The movement is finely adjusted for isochronism, temperature, and five specific positions, for a total of eight adjustments.”
  • “Movement: Vanguard Waltham U.S.A. 23 Jewels 8 Adjustments”

Open research questions

  • What is the movement serial number on the pillar plate, and does it align with Waltham production records for circa 1949?
  • What specific Keystone Watch Case Company trademarks or patent stamps are present on the interior of the case back?
  • Under the bezel, what is the exact configuration and physical condition of the setting lever?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Vanguard Railroad Pocket Watch, Model 1908, 16s
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement GradeVanguard“powered by an original Waltham mechanical movement, Grade Vanguard.”
Jewel Count23 jewels“Featuring 23 jewels, a sub-second hand, and a lever-set design”
Size and ModelModel 1908, Size 16s“it is a Model 1908, Size 16s.”
Adjustments8 Adjustments“Movement: Vanguard Waltham U.S.A. 23 Jewels 8 Adjustments”
Case Back MarkingsWaltham Keystone 10K Gold Filled 8074834“Case Back Markings: Waltham Keystone 10K Gold Filled 8074834”
Case Diameter50.8 mm“Housed in a 50.8mm round case, this timepiece is crafted from 10K yellow gold fill”
Case Width with Crown56.6 mm“Case w/Crown 56.6”
Setting TypeLever-set“Featuring 23 jewels, a sub-second hand, and a lever-set design”

Visible details

  • Open-face pocket watch configuration with crown and bow at the 12 o'clock position.
  • White dial featuring large black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
  • Dial signed 'WALTHAM' and 'VANGUARD 23 JEWELS' below 12 o'clock.
  • Bezel features a distinct knurled textured pattern.
  • Blued steel spade hands visible on the dial.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and inner case back are described in the source listing but not depicted in the provided photograph.
  • The clear acrylic display stand shown in the image is excluded from the watch.

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

Consulted source

1949 WALTHAM Vanguard Railroad Pocket Watch 23 Jewels Model 1908 Adjus – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ad5904b721

Terms in this record

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

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