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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement

Waterbury Watch Co Duplex Series J Pocket Watch Movement

Partially verified

This is an American pocket watch movement produced by the Waterbury Watch Co, dated circa 1890 by the source. According to the seller, it is an open-face, stem-wound and hand-set movement measuring 45 mm in diameter by 10 mm in depth. The source notes that the movement features a gilt three-quarter plate configuration with a duplex escapement, signed 'The Waterbury Watch Co, Trade Mark, Series J, Patented, 15472'. The visible white enamel dial is inscribed 'Waterbury Watch Co, U. S. A.' and features Roman numeral hour markers, an outer railroad minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial, and mismatched blued steel hands.

Dial side of the Waterbury Watch Co Series J pocket watch movement
Dial side of the Waterbury Watch Co Series J pocket watch movement — atlam-watches.co.uk. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.atlam-watches.co.uk
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Waterbury Watch Co
Reference
Series J
Catalogue / lot identifier
MA11
Source-reported date
c. 1890
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
15472

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 Visible Presentation

The movement retains a white enamel dial bearing black Roman numeral hour indices, an outer railroad minute track, and a subsidiary seconds register positioned directly above the 6 o'clock mark with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals. The dial is signed 'Waterbury Watch Co, USA' across the upper portion.

Observed physical wear includes a distinct edge chip located at the perimeter directly above the XII marker and a visible hairline crack extending through the dial center toward the subsidiary register. The center arbor mounts mismatched blued steel hands, and the surrounding edge of the movement plate features a cut-out section at the top edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer railroad track for minutes.”
  • “signed “Waterbury Watch Co, USA””
  • “a chip above the 12 and a hairline through the centre”
  • “Movement plate perimeter visible around the dial, featuring a cut-out section at the top edge.”

Mechanism Specifications and Signatures

According to the seller's documentation, the uncased assembly is an open-face, stem-wound and hand-set movement measuring 45 mm in diameter by 10 mm in depth. The vendor records that the mechanism utilizes a gilt three-quarter plate configuration fitted with a duplex escapement.

The movement plates are stated by the seller to be signed 'The Waterbury Watch Co, Trade Mark, Series J, Patented, 15472', though these inscriptions and the plate work remain unverified by direct rear imagery. The vendor also reports that the movement has a good balance and spring and will tick.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is an open face, stem wound / hand set”
  • “The movement measures 45mm wide x 10mm deep”
  • “the gilt ¾ plate movement has a duplex escapement and is signed ‘The Waterbury Watch Co, Trade Mark, Series J, Patented, 15472””
  • “The movement has a good balance and spring and will tick”

Documentation Limits and Condition Context

The dating of circa 1890 represents an approximate estimate provided solely by the dealer. While the dial-side imagery corroborates the enamel damage, mismatched hands, and dial signature, no photographs of the reverse plate, escapement assembly, or stamped serial number are available in the record.

Qualitative assertions such as ratings of 95% and 80% mint condition represent subjective commercial assessments from the dealer rather than standardized horological grading metrics.

Evidence for this section
  • “Waterbury Watch Co DUPLEX Series J pocket watch movement c1890”
  • “The movement is in 95% mint condition”
  • “The dial is in 80% mint condition”

Open research questions

  • What specific layout and patent dates are stamped on the unseen gilt three-quarter plate?
  • Does direct physical inspection of the escapement confirm a true Waterbury duplex configuration as described by the vendor?
  • Are the mismatched blued steel hands period-correct replacements or modern additions to the center arbor?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waterbury Watch Co Duplex Series J Pocket Watch Movement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementDuplex escapement“the gilt ¾ plate movement has a duplex escapement”
Movement signatureThe Waterbury Watch Co, Trade Mark, Series J, Patented, 15472“signed ‘The Waterbury Watch Co, Trade Mark, Series J, Patented, 15472””
Winding / settingStem wound / hand set“The movement is an open face, stem wound / hand set”
Dimensions45mm wide x 10mm deep“The movement measures 45mm wide x 10mm deep”
Dial signatureWaterbury Watch Co, USA“signed “Waterbury Watch Co, USA””
Mechanical functionality reportReported to tick with good balance and spring“The movement has a good balance and spring and will tick”
Seller stock codeMA11“Code : MA11”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer railroad track for minutes.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock mark with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.
  • Visible damage to the dial, including a chip at the perimeter directly above the XII marker and a hairline crack running across the center towards the sub-dial.
  • Mismatched blued steel hands fitted to the center arbor.
  • Movement plate perimeter visible around the dial, featuring a cut-out section at the top edge.

Research qualifications

  • The rear movement plates, duplex escapement, and serial markings described by the vendor are not visible in the provided dial-side photograph.
  • Condition percentages cited in source listing ('95% mint condition', '80% mint condition') are subjective commercial seller assessments.

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

Consulted source

Waterbury Watch Co DUPLEX Series J pocket watch movement c1890

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 7d3e975583

Terms in this record

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

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