I am passing along my uncle's wristwatch to my nephew as a graduation gift. I
have searched online and in the local libraries without success for a guide to
finding its approximate date of manufacture.
It is a rectangual Watham 19 jewels with a box for the second hand below center
replacing the numeral "6." Its serial number: 094589. The family legend was
that it was purchased within a few years of 1930. The top rear has "10k gold
filled" followed by "D&A" (I think.)
Any help please? Thanks in advance...
...Bob
Hi, Bob.
That serial number looks nothing like the Waltham serial numbers
for the 1930's. If it's a *case* serial number, then you need to have
the back opened up, to provide the *movement* serial number.
Waltham movement numbers for 1930 are in the area of 27,000,000
FWIW, Waltham did have several models in the 1928-1932 range
that fit the description above, per Shugart & Gilbert, "complete
price guide to watches", available in many or most libraries and
larger book sellers.
Good Luck
Lloyd
*****
Thanks for your reply.
I took the watch to another jeweler who confirmed that the movement's serial
number is 094589 and its case's serial number is 375254. The mystery deepens.
For some reason, I thought the Waltham serial numbers in the eight-digit range
only applied to pocket watches, not wristwatches.
My library has the Shugart & Gilbert book - I will get it tonight and see if I
can find a match for this watch.
Again, thank you and I'd welcome any comments from others.
Regards...
> Hi Lloyd,
>
> Thanks for your reply.
>
> I took the watch to another jeweler who confirmed that the movement's serial
> number is 094589 and its case's serial number is 375254. The mystery deepens.
>
> For some reason, I thought the Waltham serial numbers in the eight-digit range
> only applied to pocket watches, not wristwatches.
Hi Bob;
You're probably right -- it didn't occur to me that Waltham might have
had a different series of numbers for wrist watch movements.
> My library has the Shugart & Gilbert book - I will get it tonight and see if I
> can find a match for this watch.
>
> Again, thank you and I'd welcome any comments from others.
>
> Regards...
>
> ...Bob
Good Luck -- I'm sure there are many on this group who
have info on wristwatch serial numbers who might assist.
Lloyd
*****
Update: The watch turns out to be a 750-B
from the late-40s/early 50s. The six-digit serial number (094589) is accurate,
but the numeral "0" at the start probably is the letter "O".
Thanks to all who replied or who pondered the problem.
...Bob