Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

Waltham Sterling Silver Trench Watch circa 1914 Rare P.S. Bartlett Half Hunter

$3,800
£2,883.35
€3,296.86
CA$5,307.57
A$5,901.30
CHF 3,081.33
MX$71,833.13
NOK 39,316.44
SEK 36,837.62
DKK 24,605.04
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Trench watch / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1914 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / P.S. Bartlett Caliber 0-Size DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Kiln Fired Enamel with Arabic Numerals / Original Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / BRACELET: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare watch by the iconic house of Waltham is the only example we have ever seen. This watch is entirely hand made and likely used during W W 1. This is one of the highest grade models Waltham produced at the time. It is done with beautifully finished gilt Damascening. The model is called a "Half Hunter" because the time can be viewed through the bezel or the cover can be opened and viewed more accurately. This is one of the rarest American Watches ever produced. 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 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 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:
  • Case Material:
  • Strap Material:
    Leather
  • Case Shape:
    Round
  • Movement:
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1914
  • 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: 23851stDibs: LU422326487502

More From This Seller

View All
Longines Silver Half Hunter Trench Watch with Original Kiln Fired Dial 1925
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Trench Style / Military METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1925 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 49mm X Diameter 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Breguet Style Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Breguet Style Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is one of the finest example of a "trench" watch we have ever had. The watch is entirely hand made. The case cover is done in classic Breguet Engine Turning, with a "Half Hunter" cover and Kiln Fired Blue Enamel with Roman Numerals. The Roman Numerals are balanced out against the Breguet Arabic Numeral Dial. The movement is hand made by Longines and very high grade. We have just serviced this fine watch and it keeps dependable time and can be worn all the time and counted on to get you there on time as well. Longines was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz, a Swiss watchmaker. He was also the brother of renowned biologist Louis Agassiz. Agassiz started the company with two partners, lawyers Henri Raiguel and Florian Morel. The company's original name was Raiguel Jeune & Cie. In 1846, Raigeul and Morel retired from the watch industry, leaving Agassiz as sole company head. Several years later, Agassiz brought in his bright, enterprising nephew, trained economist Ernest Francillon, into the business. Francillon was the mastermind behind several impressive innovations that would distinguish the company from its competitors. In 1880, Francillon trademarked the Longines name and its winged hourglass logo. The winged hourglass is a symbol of precision and timekeeping, and it has become one of the most recognizable logos in the watch industry. In 1912, Longines became the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. The company has held this position ever since, and it has been involved in every Olympic Games since then. Longines has also been the official timekeeper of many other major sporting events, including the World Championships in Athletics, the Formula One World Championship, and the America's Cup. In 1931, Longines invented the Lindbergh Hour Angle...
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Silver

Waltham Silver Campaign Style Manual Wristwatch from 1918 with Enamel Dial
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign / Military Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1918 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 7 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Black Leather 14 mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This very early American made Sterling Silver wrist watch...
Category

Vintage 1910s American Victorian Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver, Silver, Enamel

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

Waltham Art Deco White Gold Filled with Original Dial Original Strap and Buckle
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1925 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 26mm X Width 33mm M...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

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

Dueber Hampden Nickel Silver Watch with Original Dial & Hands & Strap circa 1920
By Hampden Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Dueber Hampden Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion Shaped / Military Style METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 28mm ...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

You May Also Like

Longines Antique Sweep Seconds Doctors Watch in Sterling Silver C.1925
By Longines
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A classic Longines wristwatch crafted in sterling silver. The round watch features a silver dial with bold luminous Arabic numerals and the Longines ...
Category

Early 20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Vintage Circa 1940 Hamilton 14K White Gold Filled Manual Wind Watch
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
A classic Hamilton timepiece from the 1940s, featuring a 29 x 29mm 14K white gold-filled case with a distinctive square design. The silver dial is accented with luminous Arabic numer...
Category

Vintage 1940s Wrist Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Tavannes Tonneau Sterling Silver Porcelain Dial Watch
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the exquisite Tavannes Antique Watch from 1910 – a true embodiment of timeless elegance. Encased in sterling silver with a distinctive egg-shaped design, this vintage mas...
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Patek Philippe 425P Tegolino Platinum Art Deco Watch Circa 1937
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: This 425P Tegolino Art Deco Patek Philippe watch made in Platinum with a factory diamond dial. The watch features origin...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Platinum

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