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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 1893 in Waltham, Massachusetts, this timepiece represents about as early as we can reliably convert. Earlier pocket watches relied on key-wind and key-set mechanisms, making them unsuitable for conversion. The original porcelain-enamel dial is in absolutely spectacular condition. At its center is an elegant cursive Waltham signature reading “American Waltham.” This is an exceptionally rare signature, as the manufacturer's name was more commonly rendered in a traditional, non-cursive typeface, particularly on later examples. Elegant Roman numerals line the perimeter, surrounded by a railroad minute track featuring inverted triangles at fifteen-minute intervals and bold indices every five minutes. The seconds dial features distinctive circular markers at ten-second intervals, an unusual detail rarely encountered on American dials. For a dress watch from the 1800s, this dial captures nearly every aspect of classical American styling. The design is elegant, exceptionally well proportioned, and remarkably preserved. The original spade hands were carefully mirror-polished to remove corrosion before being thermally blued by hand, producing a deep, iridescent blue finish. Against the brilliant white porcelain-enamel dial, the contrast is exceptional, providing outstanding legibility while making even a simple glance at the time a pleasure.
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 with gilt enamel and finely executed damaskeening. In our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas, every component was carefully restored. The jewel chatons, gear train, balance, and balance weights 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 stainless steel case, this 1893 Waltham stands as both a tribute to early American craftsmanship and a remarkable intersection of artistry and engineering.
The timepiece is housed in our surgical-grade 316L stainless steel conversion case with a 40 mm diameter—offering one of the best fits for any conversion available. The case includes both caseback and crown gaskets, providing water resistance up to 50 meters, though it is recommended to remove the watch before engaging in water activities. The watch comes fully serviced and ready for your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 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: 1893
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
Jewels: 15 jewels
Case Diameter: 40 mm
Front Crystal: Domed sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 20 mm
Lug to Lug: 48 mm
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 6519568
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.