Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 16

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Cushion Shaped Watch from 1926

Name: Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Cushion Shaped Watch from 1926
Brand: Waltham
Rating: 5 (162 reviews)

Price:$775

$850List Price

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Ruby / Cushion Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1926 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Width 28mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber Ruby 6/0 DIAL / HANDS: Original Two Tone with Gothic Arabic Numerals / Wine Blued Original Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16 mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT What a great watch this is. We never see watches this old with such fine original dials. This watch is entirely hand made and you can see by the detail in the movement that it is a finely crafted watch. Every detail on this watch is exceptional. The dial, original and untouched still has its two toned and silvered finish on it and the numbers are a rare style of modern gothic. The hands are original as well and done in blued steel but called wine, because they are done by heating them to 725 degrees Fahrenheit. It appears also that the crown is original as well. Consider it an opportunity to wear this nearly 100 year old watch and use it and count on it to get you there on time, every time. You will never see another watch like this, in this condition. Through the American civil war and two World Wars, and beyond, Waltham's legacy and spirit lives on in this wonderful watch. It is truly a representation of the idea of American Exceptionalism. The wonderfully crafted design is timeless. Even after 100 years or more, this watch can dependably be worn, used and counted on to get you there on time, every time. It is versatile enough to be worn for all types of occasions and various clothes. Wear it with a suit or even for more casual occasions but, certainly, feel confident that you are wearing a piece of history. The Waltham Watch Company was an American watch manufacturing house founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It was the first American company to mass-produce watches using interchangeable parts. The company's watches were known for their quality and affordability, and they quickly became popular with consumers. Waltham played a major role in the development of the American watch industry as well as establishing the concept of “mass produced” products. By the way, Henry Ford was a watchmaker, and he was inspired to build cars the same way Waltham Watches were produced, for the masses with interchangeable parts. Waltham’s success helped to make the United States a major player in the global watch market as well as promote the idea of “industrialization.” Before the Waltham Watch Company, watches were generally produced by hand, in “cottage” industries. They were owned by the wealthier class or the “working class” that needed to know the time. The company's affordable watches made them accessible to a wider range of people and helped to change the way people thought about time. Prior to this, people used their local Church bells to direct them in their daily lives. The Company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. During the American Civil War, they supplied watches to the military, and of course they grew because of this association. In 1885, they moved their headquarters to Waltham, Massachusetts, and changed their name to the American Waltham Watch Company. Waltham was a major exhibitor at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The company's exhibit at the exposition was housed in a large pavilion that was designed to resemble a factory. The pavilion was filled with watches of all shapes and sizes, as well as machinery used in the manufacturing process. The exhibit was a major success, and it helped to raise the profile of Waltham watches around the world. Amongst the visitors at the exhibition was a contingent from Switzerland. When they realized what Waltham was doing, they quickly understood that their methods were outdated and soon enough they would be a country unable to compete. They also went to the Waltham factory for a visit after the exhibition. It is said that they purchased a few of Waltham’s higher grade movements. The director of factory said he would have them “adjusted” before they left, but they said, it was not necessary. When they arrived back in Switzerland, they checked them and were shocked at the level of quality and accuracy. This prompted them to buy some of the equipment that Waltham was using so they could start building better watches that were less expensive and more accurate. Some of that machinery ended up in the small town of Schaffhausen and became The International Watch Company. They are still in business today making exceptional watches. The military, for any nation, is a powerful source of revenue for industrial contracts. So, any industry would prosper during war and Waltham continued to be a supplier to the military for over 100 years. Through WW 1, WW 2 and the Korean war they designed timers, navigational devices, automobiles, aviation and nautical equipment. The Waltham Watch Company, like many companies, inevitably went through a series of financial difficulties. During the 1920’s they almost went bankrupt because different departments were actually competing against each other for contracts. Some departments had made enough parts for watches to last 20 years. By then of course they would have been useless. There were several restructurings of the powerful entity but eventually in 1957, after producing about 40 million watches, the company was forced to close its doors. However, the company's legacy continues to live on. Waltham watches are still sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and the company's history is an important part of the story of American manufacturing.

Creator:
Waltham
Case Material:
Gold-filled
Movement:
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1920-1929
Date of Manufacture:
1920's
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
Seller Location:
Long Beach, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 7941stDibs: LU422321269552

More From This Seller

View All

Waltham 14Kt. Solid Gold Art Deco Watch with Original Dial from 1910

By Waltham

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid Gold CIRCA YEAR: 1910 DIMENSIONS: 30mm X 28mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Arabic Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator 14mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. This classic American Military Style watch is actually 110 years old and can still be worn all the time and counted on. The watch and case are entirely hand constructed. The movement, beautifully finished has jewels set into bushings and beautifully damascened plates...

Category

Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shape with Original Dial from 1930's

By Waltham Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 45mm X Width 2...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Wrist Watches

Waltham Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa, 1940's with Original Dial

By Waltham

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 23mm ...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham 14k Solid Gold Rare Art Deco Watch with Original Gold Dial 1935

By Waltham

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Premier Series / Round METAL / MATERIAL: 14k Yellow Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1935 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 28mm X Diameter...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Sweep Seconds Watch circa 1934

By Waltham

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1934 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm Lug Tip to Lug...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tortue Shaped Watch, Circa 1940's

By Waltham Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 1155 DIAL / HANDS: Original Gold Markers with Gold Arabic Numerals / Gold Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Art Deco Watch was produced by the iconic America house of Waltham, founded in the mid 1800's. They produced some of the worlds finest railroad watches...

Category