Clocks, Watches/waltman watch

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Expert: - 4/20/2010


Question
Hello, my father gave his watch which has the name waltman and a big W above the name.  Looking inside it is a  quartz mouvement made by miyota Co. from japan.  Is it possible or genuine waltman?  Worth ?  thanks

Answer
Allan, if you will read my personal information on the Allexperts sign on, you will see that I am not in the area of watches.  And I do not give values.  However, I can say that you might be confusing the name Waltman with Waltham.  Waltham did make watches and clocks.  Some domestic and foreign companies use the old classic names of clock and watch companies from the turn of the century by agreement to use the name or just by taking it.  Others will use a name that is spelled similarly or sounds like a popular name to deceive unsuspecting customers.  None of the turn of the century clock and many watch companies are in business any more, at least under the original organization.  Waltham stopped manufacturing watches in 1957 and the production was moved to Switzerland where a company had been organized a few years before for this purpose.  However, the Waltham Precision Instruments Company specialized in clocks and chronographs for use in aircraft control panels.  The company was sold in 1994 and is now located in Ozark, Alabama.  I know and have visited the owner who also runs a small clock repair shop in the same facility.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

Clocks, Watches

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John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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