Antique “The Waterbury Watch Co.” Pocket Watch – Working – Series J - c.1890s
Description: A fine antique open-face pocket watch by The Waterbury Watch Co., Connecticut, USA, dating from around the 1890s. This example is from the firm’s Series J line, featuring a bright nickel-plated case with Roman numeral dial and subsidiary seconds. The movement is clearly signed The Waterbury Watch Co., Waterbury, Conn., U.S.A., and marked Patented Series J with patent dates ranging from 1885 to 1887. The watch is in working order, running smoothly when tested.
Brief History of the Maker: Founded in 1880, The Waterbury Watch Company was a pioneer of mass-produced, affordable watches in the United States. Their simplified movements used fewer parts while maintaining reliability, and later developments led directly to the famous Ingersoll “Dollar Watch” that popularised personal timepieces for everyday use.
Key Details:
Maker: The Waterbury Watch Co.
Model: Series J
Date: c. 1890s
Origin: Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Case: Nickel-plated open-face case
Dial: Roman numerals with subsidiary seconds
Movement: Patented Waterbury Series J design with visible regulator
Case diameter: 57.8 mm
Condition: Working
Dimensions:
Case diameter 57.8 mm
Approx. depth 19 mm
Condition:
In good antique condition overall
Light wear to nickel plating and surface marks throughout
Some dial ageing and patina
Crystal clean
Winds and runs well; service history unknown
Summary: A handsome and well-preserved example of The Waterbury Watch Co.’s ingenious late-19th-century design. Reliable, charming, and full of character, it represents a key period in American watchmaking. A superb addition to any pocket-watch or horological collection.
Postage & Shipping: As usual, this item will be packaged carefully and dispatched with tracking. International shipping is available through the eBay Global Shipping Programme (GSP).
