Expert: Melvin Mills - 6/16/2010

Question
I asked about an elgin pw 1908 but i also have an older 1872 A.M watch (something)waltham  works ss#595150 case warrented coin silver w41 pat ent pionion silver ,monigram w,m any noncomon info about this pocket watch would be great.i know that some of these watches were sold much later than made date .why?and do the case and watch match .

Answer
Charles,

For a walk on watch, here is where to go for information

http://www.pocketwatchsite.com/walthamserials.html

based on your serial number, this watch was made in 1872.

Back in 1872, the distribution chain was not as efficient as it is today. That's why the date of manufacture and the date of sale could be drastically different.

Back then, a person would buy the watch case in the watch moving separately in the watchmaker would put them together. You couldn't buy a watch premade back then. Therefore, the cases and watch movements do not match. Also, the case got a lot more wear than the movement.  So, it was very common to have a watch re-cased over the years.


Kind regards,

Melvin