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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch

Watch by Waltham with a Dennison case

Partially verified

This pocket watch combines a movement made in the United States by the American Waltham Watch Company with a gold case by Dennison of Birmingham, dated circa 1904–1907. The rear features an enamel portrait medallion of a woman holding an infant. According to the Science Museum Group, the watch includes a gold cuvette inscribed 'from Father and Mother Sept. 8th 1904', along with a white enamel dial signed Waltham with subsidiary seconds and gold hands. The keyless 17-jewel movement is signed 'A.W.W.Co., Waltham Mass. Riverside', serial number 16098764, featuring a bimetallic compensation balance, club-tooth lever escapement, and micrometer regulation.

Back view of Dennison gold case with enamel portrait of lady and child
Back view of Dennison gold case with enamel portrait of lady and child — Science Museum Group/The Clockmakers' Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
L2015-3578
Source-reported date
1904-1907
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
16098764

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

Case Construction and Exterior Decoration

The pocket watch is housed in a polished circular yellow gold case documented as being manufactured by Dennison of Birmingham. Visible inspection of the case exterior reveals a fluted winding crown set beneath an arched suspension bow positioned at the 12 o'clock position, with a case hinge visible along the bottom rim.

The reverse of the case features a central miniature monochrome or sepia enamel portrait medallion. The museum cataloguing describes the subject as an 'enamel portrait of a lady and child on rear', visually appearing in lace attire set within the polished gold surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold case by Dennison, Birmingham, with enamel portrait of a lady and child on rear.”
  • “Fluted winding crown with an arched suspension bow at the 12 o'clock position”
  • “Case hinge visible at the bottom rim”

Dial and Cuvette Inscription

According to the Science Museum Group documentation, the interior is fitted with a gold cuvette that bears an inscription: 'from Father and Mother Sept. 8th 1904'.

The dial, which is recorded in museum documentation rather than visible in the exterior photograph, is described as a white enamel dial signed 'Waltham' with subsidiary seconds and gold hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold cuvette, with inscription ‘from Father and Mother Sept. 8th 1904’.”
  • “White enamel dial signed ‘Waltham’ with subsidiary seconds and gold hands.”

Movement Specification and Cataloguing Limits

The movement is documented as a keyless 17 jewel mechanism made by the American Waltham Watch Company. The museum records the movement signature as 'A.W.W.Co., Waltham Mass. Riverside' alongside the serial number 16098764, incorporating a bimetallic compensation balance, club-tooth lever escapement, and micrometer regulation.

Dating is reported variably within the museum record as 'Made: 1904' and '1904-7'. Because the dial, movement, and internal case marks are not depicted in the provided photograph, these specifications rely entirely on the museum's cataloguing text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Keyless 17 jewel movement with bimetallic compensation balance, club-tooth lever escapement and micrometer regulation.”
  • “Signed on the movement ‘A.W.W.Co., Waltham Mass. Riverside’ and the serial number 16098764.”
  • “Watch by the American Waltham Watch Company, USA, 1904-7.”

Open research questions

  • What specific Dennison hallmark year stamps are struck inside the gold case back and cuvette to clarify the disparity between the 1904 inscribed date and the 1904–1907 range?
  • Does the portrait miniature on the case back bear an enamelist's signature or monogram under direct microscopic examination?
  • What movement size (ligne or American watch size) is the Waltham Riverside calibre fitted into this Dennison case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch by Waltham with a Dennison case
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAmerican Waltham Watch Company“maker: American Waltham Watch Company”
Case makerDennison, Birmingham“Gold case by Dennison, Birmingham, with enamel portrait of a lady and child on rear.”
Movement signatureA.W.W.Co., Waltham Mass. Riverside“Signed on the movement ‘A.W.W.Co., Waltham Mass. Riverside’ and the serial number 16098764.”
Museum numberClockmakers' Museum No. 704“Clockmakers' Museum No. 704.”
Cuvette inscriptionfrom Father and Mother Sept. 8th 1904“Gold cuvette, with inscription ‘from Father and Mother Sept. 8th 1904’.”
Collection lenderThe Worshipful Company of Clockmakers“credit: Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers”

Visible details

  • Circular polished yellow gold pocket watch case back
  • Central monochrome or sepia enamel miniature portrait depicting a woman with an infant in lace attire
  • Fluted winding crown with an arched suspension bow at the 12 o'clock position
  • Case hinge visible at the bottom rim

Research qualifications

  • The movement and dial are not depicted in the provided photograph and rely entirely on museum cataloguing

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

Consulted source

Watch by Waltham with a Dennison case | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record cac7a8343f

Terms in this record

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