Waltham - Pocket Watch - 1900-1949

Waltham U.S.A. – Antique Hunter Case Pocket Watch – Gold-Plated – American Waltham Watch Co. Movement – Roman Numeral Dial – Small Seconds – Personalized Presentation Engraving

An elegant antique Waltham pocket watch, presented in a beautiful gold-plated hunter-style case with an ornate engraved monogram and a remarkable personalized dedication dated December 9th, 1920. Combining traditional American watchmaking craftsmanship with a fascinating historical connection, this timepiece represents the refinement and sentimental value of early twentieth-century pocket watches.

The watch features a classic white dial with bold black Roman numerals, elegant blued-style hands and a subsidiary seconds display at 6 o’clock. Its balanced composition and traditional railway minute track reflect the timeless aesthetic of antique American pocket watches.

The gold-plated case features a protective front cover and a beautifully engraved decorative monogram on the exterior. Inside, a personalized presentation inscription commemorates the departure of H. C. Newman Esq. from his firm on December 9th, 1920, transforming this watch into a meaningful historical keepsake.
Powered by a mechanical manual-winding movement signed American Waltham Watch Co., this pocket watch combines traditional engineering with the charm of an authentic period presentation piece.

Technical Details
Brand: Waltham
Manufacturer: American Waltham Watch Co., U.S.A.
Type: Antique hunter case pocket watch
Period: 1920-1929 (presentation dated 1920)
Case material: Gold-plated metal
Case diameter: 50 mm
Case weight: Approximately 106 g
Glass: Acrylic crystal
Dial: White dial with black Roman numerals
Movement: American mechanical, manual winding
Movement serial number: 21791474
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Case style: Full hunter case with protective front cover
Case decoration: Ornate engraved exterior monogram
Personalized engraving: Presentation inscription dated December 9th, 1920
Crown: Traditional top-mounted winding crown
Water resistance: Not tested for water resistance
Box: Generic presentation box included
Condition Grade: B

Condition Report
This antique Waltham pocket watch is in Grade B condition, showing signs of age and use consistent with its historical character. The gold-plated case displays scratches, surface marks and natural wear, while the decorative exterior engraving and personalized interior inscription remain clearly visible. The white dial is well preserved overall, with minor marks and signs of ageing. The crystal shows light surface wear.

The mechanical movement appears complete.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and show the actual condition of the item.

Story & Heritage
Waltham is one of the most important names in the history of American watchmaking, renowned for its pioneering role in the industrial production of precision mechanical timepieces. Founded in the nineteenth century, the American Waltham Watch Company helped transform watch manufacturing through innovative production methods, interchangeable components and a commitment to reliable mechanical engineering.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Waltham pocket watches became widely appreciated for their durability, precision and elegant design. They accompanied businessmen, railway employees, professionals and travellers, becoming essential instruments of everyday life and symbols of personal achievement.

This particular Waltham pocket watch carries an especially interesting historical detail: a personalized presentation engraving dated December 9th, 1920.
The inscription reads: “Presented to H. C. Newman Esq. by the Staff of Ransome & Marles Bearing Co. Ltd. on his leaving the Firm. Dec. 9th 1920.”
This dedication connects the watch to a specific moment in the professional life of its original recipient, offering a rare personal dimension beyond its mechanical and decorative qualities.

Ransome & Marles was a British engineering company associated with the development and manufacture of ball bearings, an important industry during the period of rapid industrial expansion in the early twentieth century. The presentation of a fine Waltham pocket watch would have represented a meaningful gesture of appreciation, respect and recognition from colleagues.

The beautifully engraved monogram on the exterior further enhances the individuality of the piece, while its gold-plated hunter case reflects the traditional elegance of presentation watches from the Edwardian and early interwar periods.
More than a century later, this Waltham remains a fascinating historical object, preserving both the craftsmanship of American watchmaking and the personal story of an individual commemorated by his colleagues in 1920. A distinctive antique pocket watch for collectors of Waltham, American mechanical timepieces, engraved presentation watches and historically meaningful objects.

Internal Reference Number – ITM 1277