Waltham for Montgomery Brothers 18Kt Solid Gold Watch from 1908 Flawless Dial

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Waltham for Montgomery Brothers 18Kt Solid Gold Watch from 1908 Flawless Dial

Name: Waltham for Montgomery Brothers 18Kt Solid Gold Watch from 1908 Flawless Dial
Brand: Waltham Watch Company
Rating: 5 (141 reviews)

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company for Montgomery Bros., Los Angeles / English Hallmarked Case by Dennison STYLE / REFERENCE: Pre Deco / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1908 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Diameter 39mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 19 Jewels / Caliber Riverside Maximus DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Original Kiln Fired Enamel Dial with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / BRACELET: Stitched Alligator with Period Buckle, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT WOW... this is one of the earliest American Wristwatches we have ever seen. The watch is entirely hand made by the legendary house of Waltham, from Waltham Massachusetts. The movement dates to about 1908. The case is hand made for this watch by the Dennison Case Company, in Birmingham England. It also dates to about 1908 which corroborates that it is all original. While most American watches had American made cases, this is a rare example of a British Case. Dennison was one of the premier European Case Companies and did special order cases for a select group of American Jewelers. This is the only example of this model we have ever seen. A quick glance at the movement and one can see how truly fine the finish is on it. While this watch is nearly 120 years old, it is still dependable and can be worn and counted on to get you there on time, every time, and uniquely there as well. You will never see another example of an American wristwatch as fine as this one. WALTHAM HISTORY Through the American civil war and two World Wars, and beyond, Waltham's legacy and spirit lives on in this wonderful vintage watch. It is truly a representation of the idea of American Exceptionalism. The wonderfully crafted design is timeless. Even after 100 years or more, this watch can dependably be worn, used and counted on to get you there on time, every time. It is versatile enough to be worn for all types of occasions and various clothes. Wear it with a suit or even for more casual occasions but, certainly, feel confident that you are wearing a piece of history. The Waltham Watch Company was an American watch manufacturing house founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It was the first American company to mass-produce watches using interchangeable parts. The company's watches were known for their quality and affordability, and they quickly became popular with consumers. Waltham played a major role in the development of the American watch industry as well as establishing the concept of “mass produced” products. By the way, Henry Ford was a watchmaker, and he was inspired to build cars the same way Waltham Watches were produced, for the masses with interchangeable parts. Waltham’s success helped to make the United States a major player in the global watch market as well as promote the idea of “industrialization.” Before the Waltham Watch Company, watches were generally produced by hand, in “cottage” industries. They were owned by the wealthier class or the “working class” that needed to know the time. The company's affordable watches made them accessible to a wider range of people and helped to change the way people thought about time. Prior to this, people used their local Church bells to direct them in their daily lives. The Company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. During the American Civil War, they supplied watches to the military, and of course they grew because of this association. In 1885, they moved their headquarters to Waltham, Massachusetts, and changed their name to the American Waltham Watch Company. Waltham was a major exhibitor at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The company's exhibit at the exposition was housed in a large pavilion that was designed to resemble a factory. The pavilion was filled with watches of all shapes and sizes, as well as machinery used in the manufacturing process. The exhibit was a major success, and it helped to raise the profile of Waltham watches around the world. Amongst the visitors at the exhibition was a contingent from Switzerland. When they realized what Waltham was doing, they quickly understood that their methods were outdated and soon enough they would be a country unable to compete. They also went to the Waltham factory for a visit after the exhibition. It is said that they purchased a few of Waltham’s higher-grade movements. The director of the factory said he would have them “adjusted” before they left, but they said it was not necessary. When they arrived back in Switzerland, they checked them and were shocked at the level of quality and accuracy. This prompted them to buy some of the equipment that Waltham was using so they could start building better watches that were less expensive and more accurate. Some of that machinery ended up in the small town of Schaffhausen and became The International Watch Company. They are still in business today making exceptional watches. The military, for any nation, is a powerful source of revenue for industrial contracts. So, any industry would prosper during war and Waltham continued to be a supplier to the military for over 100 years. Through WW1, WW2 and the Korean war they designed timers, navigational devices, automobiles, aviation and nautical equipment. The Waltham Watch Company, like many companies, inevitably went through a series of financial difficulties. During the 1920’s they almost went bankrupt because different departments were competing against each other for contracts. Some departments had made enough parts for watches to last 20 years. By then of course they would have been useless. There were several restructurings of the powerful entity but eventually in 1957; after producing about 40 million watches, the company was forced to close its doors. However, the company's legacy continues to live on. Waltham watches are still sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and the company's history is an important part of the story of American manufacturing. MONTGOMERY BROTHERS LOS ANGELES HISTORY Montgomery Brothers was a prominent jewelry retailer in Los Angeles with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. James A. Montgomery, the founder, arrived in Los Angeles in 1881 with just $3.50 to his name. He started modestly by repairing watches at a small shop on South Spring Street. His business steadily grew, and he soon expanded to selling diamonds, gold and silver watches, fine jewelry, clocks, and eyeglasses. By the mid-1880s, Montgomery Brothers had established itself as a reputable jeweler, employing skilled watchmakers and occupying a larger storefront on South Spring Street. The company continued to thrive throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming a well-known name in Los Angeles. They were known for their high-quality merchandise and excellent customer service. Montgomery Brothers prided themselves on being "Los Angeles' oldest jeweler" and witnessed tremendous growth and change in the city throughout their existence. They even managed to weather economic downturns like the depressions of 1893 and 1907, demonstrating their resilience and business acumen. However, the Great Depression that began in 1929 dealt a significant blow to the company. Despite their previous successes, Montgomery Brothers faced substantial financial losses during this challenging economic period. While the exact date of their closure is uncertain, the impact of the Great Depression ultimately led to the end of their long-standing presence in Los Angeles. Though their time in business eventually came to an end, Montgomery Brothers left a lasting legacy as a respected and well-established jeweler in the city's history.

Creator:
Waltham Watch Company
Case Material:
18k Gold
Strap Material:
Leather
Movement:
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1900-1909
Date of Manufacture:
1908
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
Seller Location:
Long Beach, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 13081stDibs: LU422324585872

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