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American Waltham Watch Co. was in operation from 1852-1957 and was an American pocket watch manufacturer. Manufacturing of Waltham watches took place at their facility in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Completed in 1892 in Waltham, Massachusetts, this timepiece represents about as early as we can reliably convert. Any earlier, and most pocket watches were key wind and key set. The dial features a beautiful railroad layout with elegant Roman numerals in place of Arabic and a crisp minute track accented by red indices every five minutes. At the center, the Waltham signature is rendered in elegant cursive. The original spade hands provide exceptional contrast against the bright white dial, making time reading both easy and visually engaging. Beneath the dial beats Waltham’s Grade K, a 15-jewel movement produced between 1891 and 1900. This places it among one of the oldest examples we have converted. The movement features an exposed mainspring barrel and finely executed damaskeening. In our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas, every component was carefully refinished. The jewel settings, gear train, and balance components were hand polished to restore their original brilliance. Each screw and piece of hardware was thermally blued by hand over an open flame, a traditional process that enhances corrosion resistance while adding rich visual contrast (read more here). Encased in our 40 mm Heritage Bronze case, this 1892 Waltham stands as both a tribute to early American craftsmanship and a remarkable intersection of artistry and engineering—preserved and revived more than 130 years after its original creation.
The timepiece is housed in our Heritage Bronze conversion case. Built for collectors who value the depth and character that only time can create, this case is machined from solid bronze composed of 93 percent copper, which gives it its warm golden tone from the start. As it is worn, the metal slowly oxidizes and develops a rich natural patina, creating a finish that becomes more personal day by day. The lugs, coined-edge case, bezel, screws, and crown are all solid bronze, so nearly every surface of the watch will evolve with wear. No two cases will ever age the same, which makes each piece uniquely your own.
The movement is set in a custom 40 mm conversion case crafted from solid bronze. This size offers a balanced fit on the wrist, making it one of the most versatile proportions available in any conversion. The case is built with crown and caseback gaskets, tested to 50 meters of water resistance, though removal before swimming or showering is recommended. Fully serviced and regulated, this watch is ready for years of reliable wear and appreciation.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 270 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Sub second hand
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Waltham
Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
Year Manufactured: 1892
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
Jewels: 15 jewels
Case Diameter: 40 mm
Front Crystal: Domed sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat sapphire
Case Material: Heritage bronze (will patina)
Lug width: 20 mm
Lug to Lug: 48 mm
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 5744066
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.