Movement record · United States (Waltham, Massachusetts)
Waltham Riverside Maximus
Partially verified
Waltham's top commercial grade, distinguished from ordinary Riverside grades by a higher jewel count, gold jewel settings, decorative finishing and closer adjustment.
Made in 16 size and 12 size, with earlier larger sizes recorded
Height
Varies by size and plate layout
Jewels
23 jewels on the standard specification
Frequency
18,000 vibrations per hour
Power reserve
Approximately one day between windings
Winding
Keyless winding at the crown
Setting
Lever set or pendant set depending on grade and market
Escapement
Swiss lever, with gold centre wheel and raised jewel settings on the finest examples
Balance
Jewelled and closely adjusted; some examples with a free-sprung arrangement
Complications
Sub-seconds on most examples
Identification features
Movement signed Riverside Maximus with the jewel count
Gold jewel settings and heavy decorative finishing
Grade names were reused across sizes, so size and plate layout must be recorded with the grade
Known variants
Size variations
Differences in finish and dial signature between production runs
Servicing notes
High-grade adjusted movements should not be re-regulated by an inexperienced hand; the raised jewel settings are easily damaged during cleaning.
General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.
Historical significance
Evidence that American factory production could reach a finish and adjustment standard comparable with contemporary Swiss high-grade work.
Photographs
Parts of a 16-s Riverside Watch, unknown artist, c. early 1900s, from the Digital Commonwealth - commonwealth mg74rs33z — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain. Wikimedia Commons file page
Waltham Riverside Watches Series - Advertisement - Waltham Watch Company — Various, Public domain. Wikimedia Commons file page
Antiques Atlas - Gents Waltham Riverside Maximus Wrist Watch as170a12049 — antiques-atlas.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (antiques-atlas.com)
Antiques Atlas - Gents Waltham Riverside Maximus Wrist Watch — antiques-atlas.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (antiques-atlas.com)
Antiques Atlas - Antique Silver Waltham Riverside Maximus Watch as170a12565 — antiques-atlas.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (antiques-atlas.com)
16s 23 Jewel Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch c1902 in Antique ... — antiquesboutique.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (antiquesboutique.com)
Mint 16 size 23 Jewel Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch c1907 in ... — antiquesboutique.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (antiquesboutique.com)
Waltham Riverside Maximus 12s 23J Pocket Watch Conversion 44mm Wrist ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)
1907 Waltham Riverside MAXIMUS 23j 14s RGP Pocket Watch - Runs | eBay — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)
Lot - Ladies Waltham Riverside Maximus gold pocket watch — johnmoran.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (johnmoran.com)
American Waltham 'Riverside Maximus' 10k gold filled lever pocket watch ... — auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk)
Dial and exterior of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Dial view of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Angled view of the dial and case of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Movement of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch visible through the exhibition case back — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Angled view of the dial and coin-edge case of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Side and dial profile of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Angled view of the engine-turned back cover of the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch case — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Back exterior of the gold-plated case housing the Waltham Riverside Maximus pocket watch — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (www.antiquesboutique.com)
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
Waltham grade listings in collector reference works
Auction and museum catalogue descriptions of Maximus-grade movements
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.
