Waltham Serial Number Lookup
The Waltham Watch Company, which was based in Waltham, Mass., produced pocket and wrist watches between 1850 and 1957. Today, Waltham watches remain highly desirable collectible timepieces. Dating a Waltham is an easy task. The watchmaker kept thorough records of its products. Waltham etched a serial number on every watch movement along with its name and trademark. Unlike other watchmakers, Waltham went the extra step by usually identifying the model of the watch on the movement as well. This information can be used to find the year that the watch was made.
- Elgin Serial Number Lookup
- Antique Waltham Pocket Watch Identification
- Waltham Piano Serial Number Lookup
This will allow you to type in the grade of your Elgin pocket watch, and show you all the part numbers for the various parts. You can also type in a part number and get a list of all grades using that part number. (thank you Clint Kleen!) There are now 2 sites for Elgin serial number lookup! Always input the serial number from the pocket watch movement (the 'guts' of the watch). Never use the serial number from the case or any other part. If the serial number includes a letter, enter it along with the number when using the lookup feature. Many pocket watch case backs screw off. Others may require a dull wide blade to pry or pop the.
Use a flat blunt blade to pry open the snap case back of a Waltham wrist watch. A lip or notch on the case back can be found at the 6 or 12 o’clock position. If there is no lip, carefully wedge the blade into the seam and lift. The case should pop open.
Carefully examine the case back of a Waltham pocket watch. Pocket watch case backs vary in design and require different methods to open. For hinge back and bezel cases, examine the case back with a jeweler’s loupe or the naked eye for two small hinges on the case back. The hinges are usually at the 6 o’clock position. Pry the case at the opposite end of the case back first with a fingernail. If that doesn’t work use the flat blunt blade. The case should snap open. Hunting cases feature front and back covers. Press down on the crown and a tiny hatch will release the cover.
Use a jeweler’s loupe to examine the movement. Don’t touch the movement with your fingers. At or near the edge of the movement will be a serial number. Digits in the serial number will range from two to eight depending on the year of production. For example, 1856-1857 Waltham pocket watches will have a serial number between 4000 and 6000. A 1957 Waltham watch will have a serial number of 35,000,000 or greater, according to oldwatch.com. Record the serial number from the movement.
Use the jeweler’s loupe to note the “American Watch Co. Waltham”, “AWCO Waltham” or similar trademark. Note the number of jewels etched on the movement. Note and record the model name, such as “Riverside” or another model name on the movement.
Obtain a Waltham serial number list from the numerous online pocket watch sources or from an experienced watchmaker with an expertise in vintage watch identification and repair. The list will provide the year of production, but not the exact date.
Tip
Ignore the inside case back serial number. It provides no information. The inside case back should have the gold content embossed, such as 18k or lesser grade.
Warning
Never force open anything on a vintage pocket or wrist watch. If the case back doesn’t open, have a professional watchmaker open it for you.
Waltham pocket watches have been around for more than 150 years and are a collector's item. They were made between 1851 and 1957 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Like any other collector's items, the oldest and rarest pieces are the most valuable, so it is important to know as much information as you can about a watch before buying or selling it. It is fairly simple to confirm a watch is a Waltham pocket watch and to identify the model and manufacturing date.
Elgin Serial Number Lookup
Identify the type of pocket watch. There are three basic types. A hunting case pocket watch has a closed case that goes over the face of the watch. An open face pocket watch has no cover over the face and it winds at the 12 o'clock position. A sidewinder pocket watch has no cover over the face and it winds at 3 o'clock.
Open the back cover of the watch with your fingernail and look for identifying names -- a magnifying glass or loupe may be necessary. A Waltham pocket watch will have 'A.W.W.Co.' and 'Waltham, Mass.' on the movement, which is the inner workings of the pocket watch. This will also include the grade of the watch. For instance, a Riverside grade watch will have 'A.W.W.Co. Riverside Waltham, Mass.' on the movement.
Write down the serial number. This is also on the movement and can be used to date the watch.
Look up production dates online, on sites like Oldwatch.com. Corresponding years and serial numbers will be listed. If the serial number is between two dates, it was made in the earlier date.
If your watch has a cover, look on the inside. 'AWco' written on the inside of the cover means the cover was also made by Waltham. A 'K' with a number means the case is made of gold, and the number indicates how many carats it is. For instance, 'K18' means the case is made out of 18-carat gold.
Antique Waltham Pocket Watch Identification
Tip
If 'adjusted' is on the movement on the back of the watch, that means the watch has been adjusted to keep time in various conditions, which adds value to the watch.
Warning
Waltham Piano Serial Number Lookup
If your watch case is difficult to open with your fingernail, do not force it open or pry it open with a knife, you could easily damage the case or the crystal. Take it to a jeweler.