Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Waltham Nickel Campaign Watch

$1,750
£1,337.97
€1,541.07
CA$2,452.29
A$2,737.75
CHF 1,434.54
MX$33,512.71
NOK 18,218.65
SEK 17,177.88
DKK 11,501.16

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military Campaign Style Trench Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel CIRCA / YEAR: 1916 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length X Diameter MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 7 Jewels / Caliber 0 Size DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Original Kiln Fired Enamel with Luminous Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic American Campaign Style watch was produced towards the end of WW 1. Remarkably, the watch has a flawless Enamel Dial, sans any cracks in it. We seldom see this on an enamel dial because they are basically made of glass with a very thin copper disc in the center of the dial. We have recently given this watch a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker. It keeps dependable time and can be counted on, even after nearly 110 years, to get you there on time every time. 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 WW 1, WW 2 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 actually 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.
  • Creator:
  • Strap Material:
    Leather
  • Case Shape:
    Round
  • Movement:
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1916
  • 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: WALTHAM CAMPAIGN1stDibs: LU422323701182

More From This Seller

View All
Waltham White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial circa 1926
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Octagon METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1926 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm X Width 33mm MOVEME...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Platinum Rare Art Deco Watch with Original Dial from 1936
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1936 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 20mm X Width 40mm MOVEMENT / ...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Platinum

Waltham 14Kt. Solid Gold Art Deco Watch with Original Dial from 1910
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid Gold CIRCA YEAR: 1910 DIMENSIONS: 30mm X 28mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Arabic Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator 14mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. This classic American Military Style watch is actually 110 years old and can still be worn all the time and counted on. The watch and case are entirely hand constructed. The movement, beautifully finished has jewels set into bushings and beautifully damascened plates...
Category

Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Waltham 14 Karat Solid White Gold Art Deco Handmade Watch from 1926
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1926 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Diameter 28mm MOVEMENT / 25 Ruby CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Ruby Series DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Gilded Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare solid gold art deco watch was produced by the iconic American house of Waltham from Waltham Massachusetts. It is a wonderful original watch that still has it original box and price certificate. It is rare to find a vintage watch...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Waltham 14k Solid Yellow Gold American Art Deco Watch with Original Dial 1926
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1926 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm X Width 27...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Waltham Gold Filled Tortue Shaped Art Deco Watch with Flawless Original Dial
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 7 Jewels / Caliber 0-Size DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Original Dial with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This great looking and all original watch was produced by Waltham in 1930, just after the 1929 banking collapse and the repercussions of that collapse were not yet to be felt. It appears to be fitted with an original period strap and buckle. The strap is to fragile to wear on a daily basis, but it does indicate what fine condition the watch is in. It is also fitted with an original period buckle, which we have attached to the new strap supplied with the watch. The watch has a flawless original dial, which we never see on watches this old. Also still has its original Blued Steel Hands as well. This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. You can really count on this watch as well and can wear it all the time. You will not see another like this one, I am sure of that. 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 WW 1...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

You May Also Like

Waltham Classic with a white dial Manual watch
By Waltham
Located in Surfside, FL
Vintage Waltham in 14k with cushion shaped case with a white dial with set luminous Arabic hour markers on a leather strap with a gold fill tang clasp. Manual w/ sub-seconds. Circa 1...
Category

Vintage 1930s Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Dreicer & Co. Art Deco Lady's Watch
By Dreicer & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Dreicer & Co. art deco lady's watch French cut onyx and black enamel, rounded dial in a tonneau case, single-cut diamonds of approximately 0.62...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Wrist Watches

1930s 14k Gold Waltham Art Deco Wristwatch with Historic Engraving
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Wailea, HI
1930s 14k Gold Waltham Art Deco Wristwatch with Historic Engraving A remarkable piece of horological and personal history, this 1930s Waltham wristwatch is housed in a solid 14k yel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Harman Classic Stainless Steel Wristwatch
Located in Surfside, FL
Vintage Harman in stainless steel on brown lizard strap. Black arabic numeral dial with chronograph. Manual wind with sub-second dial. Circa 1930s. Fine Pre-owned Harman Watch...
Category

Vintage 1930s Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Jean Sybe Watch 14K YG
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Elegant Jean Sybe women's wristwatch crafted in solid 14K yellow gold. This timeless piece features a double rope chain design, with each chain measuring 3.0...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Jean Sybe Watch 14K YG
$5,040
Free Shipping
Record Military Issued Dirty Dozen Watch - WWW L33573 Watch.
By Record Watch Co
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Record Watch Ref And Number: WWW L33573 Features : Shatter-proof Plexi Crystal - Dial: Black Country of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Mechanical Hand Wind Case Mater...
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel