Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Watch Original Dial 1920's

$1,200
£910.53
€1,041.11
CA$1,676.07
A$1,863.57
CHF 973.05
MX$22,684.15
NOK 12,415.72
SEK 11,632.93
DKK 7,770.01
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Width 28mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 21 Jewels / Caliber Emerald Series / 6 o DIAL / HANDS: Factory Original Silvered Dial with Gilt Arabic Numeral Markers / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare watch by the iconic American house of Waltham is fitted with their highest grade movement, the 21 Jewel Emerald Series. The dial is original and flawless and the hands and crown appear original as well. This watch has been in a vault for nearly 50 years so the purchase includes a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as well. We seldom see early American watches in this condition. It is fitted with what appears to be an original period strap and buckle as well. The strap is to fragile to use however, but it is comes with hand made Italian Lizard Strap which takes the original buckle. 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:
  • Case Material:
  • Movement:
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1920's
  • 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: 40461stDibs: LU422322394912

More From This Seller

View All
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 Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shape with Original Dial from 1930's
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 45mm X Width 2...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Wrist Watches

Waltham Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Watch with original Dial
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Premier METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 21mm ...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial from 1926
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1926 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Width 27mm M...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Sweep Seconds Watch circa 1934
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1934 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm Lug Tip to Lug...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa, 1940's with Original Dial
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 23mm ...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

You May Also Like

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 14KT Yellow Gold-Filled Curved Watch – Manual Wind
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
A classic circa 1940 Hamilton dress watch, featuring a 28mm x 33mm curved 14KT yellow gold-filled case, designed for a refined and comfortable fit. The silver dial is elegantly adorn...
Category

20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1929 Elgin 14K Yellow Gold Filled Filigree Watch
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
A stunning circa 1929 Elgin timepiece, showcasing the elegance of early 20th-century American watchmaking. The 29.5 x 30.5mm curved 14K yellow gold-filled case features intricate fil...
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Art Deco 1930s Two Color Gold Benrus Mechanical Wrist watch
By Benrus
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 True Art Deco Benrus Wrist Watch, 28 x 26 M.M. 14k White and Yellow Gold 2 piece hinged case with hand Chased design work on the top and sides. 17 Jewel, mechanical, manua...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Tiffany & Co. Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold I.W.C. Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Westport, CT
An iconic Art Deco IWC (International Watch Company) and Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow gold manual wind (mechanical) wrist watch, circa 1920s. This magnificent timepiece features an 18K...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Patek Philippe Retailed by Yard Yellow Gold manual Wristwatch , circa 1930s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Patek Philippe wristwatch created in the 1930s and retailed by Yard. Rectangular case, Arabic numerals, manual-wind movement, 18 jewels, numb...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold