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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement record · United States

Waltham Model 1883

Partially verified

Full-plate 18 size model produced in enormous quantity across many grades, from low-jewel utility movements to adjusted railroad grades.

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Technical specifications

Diameter
18 size
Height
Varies by grade
Jewels
7 to 21 depending on grade
Frequency
18,000 vph (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve
Approx. 36 hours
Winding
Stem wind
Setting
Lever set and pendant set variants
Escapement
Lever
Balance
Bimetallic compensation balance on higher grades
Complications
Subsidiary seconds

Identification features

  • Model identification depends on plate layout and setting arrangement rather than a printed model number
  • Serial number on the movement indicates approximate production year via published Waltham tables

Known variants

  • Appleton Tracy
  • Crescent Street
  • P. S. Bartlett

Servicing notes

Wear at the centre-wheel and escape-wheel pivots is common. Mainsprings are still readily obtainable.

General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.

Historical significance

A key study object for mass production: interchangeable parts across grades within a single model.

Photographs

Waltham model 57 movement photo
Waltham model 57 movement photo — Bonsairolex, CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Waltham model 1899 pocket watch
Waltham model 1899 pocket watch — Feddacheenee, CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Movement of Waltham Model 1898
Movement of Waltham Model 1898 — Outwatcher, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Antique Waltham Model 1883 Pocket Watch
Antique Waltham Model 1883 Pocket Watch — icollector.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (icollector.com)
A late 19th century Waltham model 1883 pocket watch for the Canadian ...
A late 19th century Waltham model 1883 pocket watch for the Canadian ... — bidsquare.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (bidsquare.com)
Sold Price: 14k Waltham Model 1883 Gold Pocket Watch Size 18s. Manual ...
Sold Price: 14k Waltham Model 1883 Gold Pocket Watch Size 18s. Manual ... — invaluable.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (invaluable.com)
A Late 19th Century Gold Waltham Model 1883 Pocket Watch With Diamond ...
A Late 19th Century Gold Waltham Model 1883 Pocket Watch With Diamond ... — liveauctioneers.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (liveauctioneers.com)
A late 19th century Waltham model 1883 pocket watch with spectacular O ...
A late 19th century Waltham model 1883 pocket watch with spectacular O ... — schmitt-horan.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (schmitt-horan.com)
Antique Waltham Model 1883 Pocket Watch
Antique Waltham Model 1883 Pocket Watch — icollector.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (icollector.com)
Waltham Model 1883 – OldTymers Antique Clocks
Waltham Model 1883 – OldTymers Antique Clocks — oldtymers.ca, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (oldtymers.ca)
Waltham Model 1883 Grade 85 Pocket Watch
Waltham Model 1883 Grade 85 Pocket Watch — liveauctioneers.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (liveauctioneers.com)
VINTAGE 18 SIZE WALTHAM MODEL 1883 GRADE 1 POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT ...
VINTAGE 18 SIZE WALTHAM MODEL 1883 GRADE 1 POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Waltham factory serial-number records as published by the NAWCC
  2. Grade-level production figures vary between published sources.

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.