holben Store
So you say you’re looking for one of the earliest true American wristwatches made? Well, this men’s antique wire lug beauty is a nice example – made two years before the Titanic’s maiden voyage – in 1910.
Founded by Aaron Dennison and E. Howard, the highly regarded Waltham Watch Company of Waltham Mass. is one of the grandfathers of U.S. horology, in business from 1850 to 1959 making high quality pocket watches, clocks and wristwatches known the world over. The “American Waltham†name was adopted in 1859, having already used such names as Warren, Tracy, Appleton and Boston.
This is an excellent example of an original 10 Karat Yellow Gold Filled wristwatch from the Waltham firm, dating to 1910 (as per its serial number) and complete with a flawless porcelain enamel dial.
Its hinged-back, three-piece case measures 37mm from lug tip to lug tip and 33mm in width (35.5mm with domed-style crown). This watch features a high quality 15 jewel, fine damasked mechanism that has been fully serviced prior to auction to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time.
This timepiece features its original porcelain enamel dial in pristine condition, absolutely no hairlines or chips – truly fine. It is complete with a 60 minute outer track with RED numbering, black enamel numerals, blue steel Spade tip hands and a recessed sub-seconds dial with 60 second outer chapter and “sweep†blue steel seconds hand. Signed WALTHAM below the 12.
The solid glass crystal is gently domed and in excellent, clear – a true antique glass crystal, not a modern replacement. The three-piece, hinged back case is 10 Karat Yellow Gold Filled and it is in excellent order with absolutely NO wear. The fixed wire lugs (original, never repaired) easily accommodate a 14mm band and you could possibly put a 16mm on (i.e., a Hirsch fold-over type) as there is still room to spare.. The domed winding crown is gold finished and likely original. It too is excellent order, operating as it should.
Turning the watch over I see that the back lid is also in excellent condition, not a mark on her. Peeking inside I find a clean, high grade Fifteen Jewel mechanism with solid gold RED ruby jewel settings and fancily engraved damasking along all the top plates. Also note the “SPUR†design regulator. It is signed A.W.W. Co., WALTHAM, MASS., 15 JEWELS. The serial number of #17,908,287 dates this watch to ca 1910 as per company production records.
The inside case lid is signed KEYSTONE WATCH CASE CO. – J. BOSS, 10K GOLD FILLED. If you are wondering who J. Boss is that would be Mr. James Boss, the inventor of the gold “filled†watch case and onetime employee of Keystone.
This beautiful antique watch has been fully disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it winds and sets smoothly and keeps very good, accurate time. I have fitted a new and high quality 14mm black pigskin strap with fold-over ends, especially designed for solid wire lug watches. This is a men’s length strap and it will comfortably fit a wrist up to 7-3/4 inches. All in all an excellent early and original American timepiece that is sure to attract attention on your wrist, be ready to start explaining yourself, and the watch!
Since 1998, Holben’s Fine Watches’ goal has been happy customers. I treat buyers as I like to be treated: with courtesy and respect. I’m especially proud of my excellent feedback and high number of repeat clients. I’m a long-standing member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), and have collected Swiss and American mechanical watches since I was a kid.
Watch sizes: I provide exact measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in photos as a size reference. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, men’s watches from the 1910s – 1960s were smaller than considered normal today.
Buyers outside the United States with less than five feedback: Please introduce yourself via email PRIOR to bidding. Otherwise, your bid may be retracted.
U.S. winners pay $8.75 for fully insured, safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail shipping. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) add 8.6% sales tax.
Canadian ($15.75) and most international buyers ($18.75) receive safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail International REGISTERED shipping. I ship via USPS Express Mail International to most countries for $35 and this shipping method is REQUIRED for shipments to countries that do not scan registered parcels at delivery, including (but not excluding) Germany, Netherlands, Singapore and Australia.
International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding. While I ship immediately after payment is received please be aware that customs can delay the delivery of your package. As such, I have no control of delivery time once it leaves the United States – it can be anywhere from 7 days to 30 days.
Preferred payment method is PayPal; other options are available by contacting me.
Payment is due within three days of , unless you’ve contacted me prior to arrange otherwise. In accordance with policy, payments not received in four days will initiate an unpaid item case through the Resolution Center.
In the rare event of a problem occurring after transit, return the wristwatch to me (or to my watchmaker, David) at my expense. It will be quickly corrected and shipped safely back to you.
If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add holbensfinewatches to your Favorite Sellers. I specialize in timepieces from the 1910s – 1960s. My selection changes weekly, and is comprised of manual wind and automatic watches from the following categories: WWI trench; WWII; military; fancy case, art nouveau; art deco; mid-century modern; stainless steel; sterling silver; white, yellow and rose gold; solid gold; platinum; and diamond, ruby and/or sapphire ladies’ cocktail watches.
Our sister store, Holben’s Fine Watch Bands, offers an extensive selection of straps including Bonetto Cinturini, deBeer, Di-Modell, Hadley-Roma, Hirsch and Staib; deployment clasps and buckles; metal bracelets; German military Bunds; UTC ballistic nylon G10; open-ended; James Bond striped, leather and woven NATOs; WWII canvas military; genuine and silicone rubber divers; carbon fiber; Kevlar; LORICA; Cordura; GT rally tropic perforated; alligator-, crocodile-, lizard-, ostrich-, shark- and buffalo-grain; chrono sport; riveted; waterproof / water resistant and woven/braided.
As my pal Cautious Carl says, “Buy a Nice Watch from Mike”….he was telling people to buy a watch from Chuck but I increased the amount of Scooby snacks!
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