American Ship's Deck Watch, Waltham Watch Co., c.1907
Mahogany box; brass watch case' chrome and eight day 7 jewelled movement; three tier case with glass covers; gimbled and cased; 5" X 5" square box. Condition: Excellent-with rubbing on case; runs well, keeps excellent time. Additional Dealer Comments: The first marine chronometer deck watch purchased by the US Naval Observatory was made by the Waltham Watch Co.. Waltham published a report entitled, "SERIAL NUMBERS WITH DESCRIPTION OF WALTHAM'S WATCH MOVEMENTS". This report indicated that their first 8 day, boxed chronometer serial number was 16,628,501 produced in 1907, with a production run of 3000. This chronometer is serial number 20,434,873-making this one within the second year of their production run. The movement is nickle plated with straight-line damasceening and is marked, "WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY, 8 days, 7 jewels, adjusted". The movement is clean, running and keeping excellent time-having been professionally cleaned and adjusted in 1998. All the brass hardware is original and in excellent condition, showing a nice patina for its age. The dial is original and signed, "WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY, 8 Days" and has the red spot type indicator at the 3:00 o'clock location which indicates when the watch needs to be rewound by displaying a small red moon in the little window. Other than a little discoloring and some expected small scratches around the seconds bit and the 8-day window, it is a very good dial with strong numerals and markings. The gimbal is original and the brass can on the watch back has been polished enough to show rubbing into the base metal. The mahogany case has never been refinished and retains an excellent original coloration. All hinges are in excellent shape.