Waltham P. S. Bartlett from 1881

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.

This timepiece was crafted in Waltham, Massachusetts and completed in 1881. The Waltham timepiece features the P. S. Bartlett grade movement—a fine example of Waltham’s craftsmanship during the late 1800s. The movement has been meticulously restored, with the plates, jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights all hand-polished to return them to their original condition. Special care was taken to preserve the original gilt finish and highlight the brilliance of the original golden jewel settings. The movement components remain otherwise unrestored, retaining the heat blued accents applied by Waltham at the time of manufacture. The watch hands are also unrestored, maintaining their original heat-blued color. The Waltham dial is porcelain-enamel, in flawless condition, and features elegant Roman numerals. This is the quintessential example of American watchmaking and the reason it was held in such high regard.

The timepiece is enclosed in its original coin silver hunter case. A press of the crown smoothly opens the front of the case to a precise 90 degrees, allowing easy viewing of the time. When not in use, the solid front and back bezels shield the watch from the elements and protect it from potential damage, whether on a desk or in a pocket. This design represents the pinnacle of American watch case craftsmanship—combining functionality, durability, and elegance in a way that set the standard for timepieces of its era. The hunter case, with its precision engineering and protective features, exemplifies the height of innovation and quality that defined American watchmaking at the time.

Watch Performance

• Accuracy: +/- 1 minute per day

• Amplitude: 250 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: 1881

• Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (flawless)

• Jewels: 11 jewels

• Case Diameter: 55 mm

• Case diameter with crown: 80 mm

• Height: 19 mm

• Front Crystal: Mineral

• Original Case Included: Yes, coin silver hunter case, 90% silver

• Serial Number: 1606526

• Water Resistance: No

• Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty

All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.