Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
American Waltham Watch Company
VerifiedMass-produced interchangeable-part pocket watch movements
History
The firm that industrialised watchmaking, developing machine-made interchangeable components and, over a century, producing tens of millions of movements across many models and grades.
The company was established in 1850 by Aaron Lufkin Dennison, Edward Howard, David P. Davis, and Samuel Curtis to apply industrialized production techniques to pocket watch making. Operations began in Roxbury before the firm moved to a dedicated facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1854. Following financial instability, the company underwent multiple ownership changes, including its acquisition by Royal E. Robbins in 1857.
The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.
Timeline
American Waltham Watch Company's recorded dates, dated events from this profile and its sources, and dated pieces and sales from the object catalogue. Dates are as each record gives them.
1850 · Career
The company was established in 1850 by Aaron Lufkin Dennison, Edward Howard, David P.
1854 · Career
Operations began in Roxbury before the firm moved to a dedicated facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1854.
c. 1854 · Catalogued piece
American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1857 'Samuel Curtis' Movement
ca 1875 · Catalogued piece
1885 · Catalogued piece
Waltham Grade Wm. Ellery 11 Jewels Size 6s Hunting Case Pocket Watch
1890s · Catalogued piece
circa 1900 · Catalogued piece
circa 1910 · Catalogued piece
1957 · Career
Ceased trading under this name
1957 · Career
Although the original entity closed in 1957, watches and clocks bearing the Waltham name were still being produced and marketed as of September 2025.
1960s · Catalogued piece
1980s · Catalogued piece
Current watchmaking & later fate
- Although the original entity closed in 1957, watches and clocks bearing the Waltham name were still being produced and marketed as of September 2025.
- The historic factory complex in Waltham, Massachusetts, has been converted into a mixture of commercial, industrial, and residential spaces.
As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-10-27. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.
Major innovations
- Machine production of interchangeable watch parts at scale
- Systematic model-and-grade production hierarchy
- Early production models included a movement designed to run for eight days.
Known markings
- 'A.W.W.Co. Waltham, Mass.'
- Grade names on the barrel bridge
- The company operated under names including the American Waltham Watch Co. and the American Watch Co.
Serial numbers
Published serial tables give approximate production years; individual movements may have been cased and sold considerably later.
Collecting significance
Early Model 1857 movements and high-grade adjusted movements attract the most research attention.
Identification and dating notes
- The inexpensive 'William Ellery' model was a highly popular timepiece among Union soldiers during the American Civil War.
Where sources differ
- Founding date: this record gives “1850 (as predecessor firms)”; a cited source gives “1849”. The record is kept until the difference is resolved from period documents.
In the object catalogue
87 catalogued objects are recorded under American Waltham Watch Company. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.
- 1924 Waltham Grade 1225 12s open-face dress pocket watchOpen-face watch · 1924
- A mahogany eight day marine deck watch Waltham Watch Co, NW 318Eight-day marine chronometer
- A.W. Co. Waltham 18K Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · c. 1880
- A.W.C. Waltham 6s Grade J Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1889
- American Waltham 'Crescent Street' gold filled lever pocket watchRailroad watch · circa 1918
- American Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · Circa 1895
- American Waltham Lady Waltham Hunter-Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1897
- American Waltham Model 1880 Grade J Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1890s
- American Waltham Watch Co. 14K Tri-Gold Ladies Pendant Pocket WatchEnamel, form & pendant watch · 1899
- American Waltham Watch Co. 18k gold open face pocket watchOpen-face watch · March 1891
- American Waltham Watch Co. Hunting-Cased Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1892-1894
- American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1857 'Samuel Curtis' MovementPocket watch movement · c. 1854
Show 75 more
- American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1883 Size 18s Pocket WatchOpen-face watch
- American Waltham Watch Co. Pocket Hunter WatchRepeating watch · circa 1895
- American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Grade Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1896-1899
- American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside MovementPocket watch movement
- American Watch Co. Model 74 Double Face Chronograph Pocket WatchChronograph & split-seconds watch · circa 1879
- American Watch Co. Waltham 14K Gold Hunter Cased Pocket WatchHunter-case watch
- Antique silver Waltham Riverside Maximus wristwatchMilitary & trench watch · 1904 (movement), 1914 (case)
- Antique Waltham Colonial Series Pocket Watch, 1907Open-face watch · 1907
- Antique Waltham Gold-Filled Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch
- Antique Waltham Pocket Watch Movement and DialPocket watch movement
- Antique Waltham Traveler Open Face Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1902
- Gents Waltham Riverside Maximus Wrist WatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1920s
- Hopkins & Hopkins Silver Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1916
- Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · Circa 1892
- Waltham 14k gold open face pocket watch No. 25522053Open-face watch · 1930s
- Waltham 14K Yellow Gold Box-Hinge Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · Circa 1887
- Waltham 14K Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch
- Waltham 14kt Gold Hunter-case Watch, Model 1899, Ref: RiversideHunter-case watch · 1899
- Waltham 17 Jewels Grade No. 1217 Openface Dress Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1936
- Waltham 18 Carat Gold Keyless Wind Half Hunter Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1923
- Waltham 18-size fancy enamel pocket watch dialDial · Early 20th Century
- Waltham 1883 Size 18s Model 1877 Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1883
- Waltham 1892 Astronomical Sidereal Dial Pocket WatchCalendar & astronomical watch · circa 1910
- Waltham 18ct Gold Open Face Pocket Watch with Up/Down IndicatorOpen-face watch · circa 1927
- Waltham 19 Jewel Riverside Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · c. 1909
- Waltham 1903 'Lady Waltham' Model 1900 14K Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1903
- Waltham 1908 Grade No. 115 Openface Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1908
- Waltham 8-day desk clock with ship wheel caseDesk clock · circa 1900
- Waltham 9ct Gold Full Hunter Pocket Watch, Dennison CaseHunter-case watch
- Waltham Aircraft Clock Model Ref. A-13A-1Ship's & marine clock · c. 1960s
- Waltham Automatic Screw Making MachineWatchmaker's lathe · ca 1875
- Waltham British Military Issued Pocket Watch, Ref. 0552/520-8049Military pocket watch · c. 1950s
- Waltham Cal. Lorsa 238 manual-wind wristwatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1960s
- Waltham Cashier 14K Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1907
- Waltham Crescent Street 18-Size 21-Jewel Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · c1903
- Waltham Day/Date Quartz WristwatchQuartz & electronic watch · 1980s
- Waltham Eight-Day Ship's Chronometer in Mahogany CasesEight-day marine chronometer · First half 20th century
- Waltham Gold Filled Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · Circa 1889
- Waltham Grade 220 Art Deco Pocket Watch SetOpen-face watch · circa 1928
- Waltham Grade 610 Open-Face Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1915
- Waltham Grade No. 825 Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1906
- Waltham Grade Wm. Ellery 11 Jewels Size 6s Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1885
- Waltham Hillside Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1895
- Waltham Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · Late 19th Century
- Waltham Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1900
- Waltham Marine Chronometer in Mahogany CaseMarine chronometer (duration not stated) · 1940s
- Waltham Model 1883 Crescent St. 18s Open Face Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1890s
- Waltham Model 1883 Grade 825 Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1903
- Waltham Model 1888 Grade 28 Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1890
- Waltham Model 1899 Grade 625 Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1903
- Waltham Model 1907 Grade 361 Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1913
- Waltham Model 1908 Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 2014 (photograph date)
- Waltham Multicolor 14K Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1918
- Waltham Open Face Railroad Pocket Watch for Dominion RailwaysRailroad watch · circa 1887
- Waltham P.S. Bartlett 14k Gold Hunter Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1908
- Waltham P.S. Bartlett 18s Model 1892 Hunting Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1904
- Waltham P.S. Bartlett Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1897
- Waltham Premier Rectangle WristwatchHand-wound wristwatch · circa 1937 / 1948
- Waltham Riverside Maximus 16s 23-jewel pocket watch in display caseOpen-face watch · c. 1902
- Waltham Riverside Model 1908 pocket watchOpen-face watch · 1908
- Waltham Riverside Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1915
- Waltham Seaside Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1888
- Waltham Silver Open-Face Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1929
- Waltham Size 0 Hunting Cased Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · circa 1895
- Waltham Sterling Silver Key-Wind Open-Face Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1916
- Waltham Sterling Silver Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1898 - 1927
- Waltham Traveler Hunter-Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · Circa early 1900s
- Waltham Traveler open-face pocket watchOpen-face watch · circa 1912
- Waltham Traveller full hunter pocket watch in Dennison silver case with presentation boxHunter-case watch · 1915
- Waltham Vanguard 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket WatchRailroad watch · c1942
- Waltham Vanguard 23-Jewel Pocket WatchRailroad watch · 1918
- Waltham Vanguard Model 1892 Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1901
- Waltham Vanguard Railroad Pocket Watch, Model 1908, 16sRailroad watch · 1949
- Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Enamel DialOpen-face watch · 1897
- Watch by Waltham with a Dennison caseOpen-face watch · 1904-1907
Provenance
Where the 87 catalogued pieces by American Waltham Watch Company were recorded, with the collectors, owners and sales their records name.
Provenance map
Each piece is linked to the museum, auction house or dealer whose record it comes from, and to any other house or collection its own provenance names. Select a name to see its pieces.
Museums · 6 pieces
Auction houses · 29 pieces
Dealers & other listings · 52 pieces
Second Hand Horology
Dealer · 14 pieces
1924 Waltham Grade 1225 12s open-face dress pocket watchOpen-face watch · 1924 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
A.W.C. Waltham 6s Grade J Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1889 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham 17 Jewels Grade No. 1217 Openface Dress Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1936 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham 1883 Size 18s Model 1877 Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1883 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham 1903 'Lady Waltham' Model 1900 14K Gold Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1903 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham 1908 Grade No. 115 Openface Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1908 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Cal. Lorsa 238 manual-wind wristwatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1960s · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Day/Date Quartz WristwatchQuartz & electronic watch · 1980s · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Grade Wm. Ellery 11 Jewels Size 6s Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1885 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Model 1883 Crescent St. 18s Open Face Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1890s · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Model 1883 Grade 825 Hunting Case Pocket WatchHunter-case watch · 1903 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Riverside Model 1908 pocket watchOpen-face watch · 1908 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Vanguard Model 1892 Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · 1901 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Waltham Vanguard Railroad Pocket Watch, Model 1908, 16sRailroad watch · 1949 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Collectors, owners and donors
- Estate of Ralph Scheu, Chicago, IllinoisProvenance · American Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch
- Florence J. BurkeAssociated Owner · Hopkins & Hopkins Silver Pocket Watch
Auction history
| House | Sale & lot | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Bonhams | lot 369 | A mahogany eight day marine deck watch Waltham Watch Co, NW 318 |
| Hindman | lot 176 | A.W. Co. Waltham 18K Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch |
| the-saleroom (auction platform) | lot 190 | American Waltham 'Crescent Street' gold filled lever pocket watch |
| Hindman | lot 55 | American Waltham 14 Karat Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch |
| Lyon & Turnbull | lot 55 | American Waltham Watch Co. 18k gold open face pocket watch |
| Antiquorum | lot 457 | American Waltham Watch Co. Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch |
| Schmitt Horan & Co. | lot 1160 | American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1857 'Samuel Curtis' Movement |
| Palmer's Auction Co | lot 0102 | American Waltham Watch Co. Model 1883 Size 18s Pocket Watch |
| Antiquorum | lot 491 | American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Grade Pocket Watch |
| Pasadena Auction House | lot 2019 | American Waltham Watch Co. Riverside Movement |
Show 19 more
Each line is copied from the object's source record and is not independently verified. Holders are as recorded when the piece was catalogued: museum objects may not be on display, and sold lots have since changed hands.
Photographs
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
- American Waltham Watch Company Historic District, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-10-27 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Waltham Watch Company, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-10-27 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Die Uhr aus der Fabrik. The American Waltham Watch Company. (1850 - 1957), Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-10-27
- Waltham factory records as published by the NAWCC
- Moore, C., Timing a Century
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.