Description
A handsome antique American Waltham "Royal" grade pocket watch featuring a high quality 17 jewel adjusted movement dating to 1903, later housed in a British silver Dennison case hallmarked for 1925. This attractive Anglo-American combination reflects a common and practical period practice where high-quality American movements were recased into newer British silver cases during their working life. The watch features a clean white enamel dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, and elegant gold-tone hands. The movement is the Waltham "Royal" grade, Model 1899, 16s size, with attractive damaskeened finish and gold jewel settings. The watch winds, sets and runs well, keeping good time at the point of listing. The silver Dennison case presents nicely with engine-turned decoration to the reverse and a vacant cartouche, offering an elegant and understated appearance.
Supplied in a Bowles Ltd gift box.
Maker History
The American Waltham Watch Company, founded in 1850 in Waltham, Massachusetts, was one of the most influential watch manufacturers in history and pioneered mass-produced precision watchmaking. Waltham watches were widely exported to Britain where they were often cased locally in high-quality English silver or gold cases by firms such as Dennison. The "Royal" grade represented a higher-quality Waltham movement, offering 17 jewels, adjusted regulation, and improved finishing, making these watches desirable among collectors today.
Key Details
• Maker: American Waltham Watch Co.
• Grade: Royal
• Model: 1899
• Movement Serial: 12583707
• Movement Date: 1903
• Case Date: 1925
• Jewels: 17 Jewels
• Movement: Mechanical, Hand Wound
• Adjustment: Adjusted
• Size: 16 Size
• Case Maker: Dennison Watch Case Co Ltd
• Case Material: Sterling Silver
• Dial: White Enamel with Roman Numerals
• Hands: Gold-tone Hands
• Sub Seconds Dial
• Bowles Ltd Gift Box Included
Case & Hallmarks
• Dennison Watch Case Co Ltd
• "Special" Case
• British Silver Hallmarks (1925)
• Case Number: 503979
Dimensions
• Case Diameter: 49.1mm
Condition
• Winds, sets and runs well
• Keeps good time at point of listing
• Hairline cracks to dial around 10 o'clock area
• Case in very good antique condition
• Engine-turned case back well preserved
• Light surface marks consistent with age
• Movement clean and well presented
• Crystal in good condition
• Overall very good antique condition
• Please see photographs for full condition detail
Summary
A very attractive Waltham "Royal" pocket watch featuring a quality 17 jewel adjusted movement, housed in a later British silver Dennison case. The combination of early 20th century American movement and later English silver case makes this an appealing and practical antique pocket watch with good collector interest and everyday usability. The watch presents well, runs nicely, and would make an excellent addition to a collection or a practical vintage timepiece.
As usual, this item will be packaged carefully and dispatched with tracking. International shipping is available upon request.
Important Notes About Vintage Watches
This is a vintage mechanical watch. While currently running and keeping good time, accuracy and long-term reliability cannot be guaranteed. Service history is unknown and a service is recommended for optimal performance. Vintage watches are sensitive to moisture, shock, and magnetism. This watch is sold as a vintage collectible rather than a modern timepiece.
