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

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 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

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled 1940's Art deco Tonneau Shaped Watch with Original Dial
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 27mm...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Dueber Hampden White Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Original Dial From 1920
By Hampden Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Dueber Hampden STYLE / REFERENCE: Molly Stark / Tonneau Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1920 / 21 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 29mm X Width ...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, White Gold

Waltham Gold Filled Art Deco Cushion Shaped Watch with Original Dial from 1940's
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Width 28mm MOVEMENT / CA...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham "Sapphire" Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Square METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1934 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm X Width 28mm MOVEME...
Category

Vintage 1930s 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

You May Also Like

Roamer Art-Deco c1930's Gold-Filled Tonneau Swiss Manual Ladies’ Cocktail Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This ladies' cocktail watch was made by Swiss brand Roamer, it is from Art-Deco period, yet it's in beautiful vintage condition & in excellent working order. It features: Tonne...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Gold Fill Manual Wristwatch
By Waltham
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham in gold fill on leather strap. Manual w/ subseconds. 19.5 mm case size. Circa 1935 Fine Pre-owned Waltham Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Waltham watch...
Category

Vintage 1930s Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Vintage Hamilton Gold-Filled Tonneau Watch with Black Leather Band
By Hamilton
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Case # H857441. Manual movement # 987A0421050. Weight: 26.5 grams. Does not include original box or papers. This watch is guaranteed authentic. One year warranty included with purcha...
Category

20th Century American Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Vintage Benrus Gold-Filled Tonneau Watch with Black Leather Band
By Benrus
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Manual movement # 900-181. Case # 322195. Weight: 24.3 grams. Does not include the original box or papers. This watch is guaranteed authentic. One year warranty included with purchas...
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Masonic Watch 18K Yellow Gold Pearlized Dial
By Waltham
Located in New York, NY
The Waltham 18K Gold Triangular Masonic Wristwatch is a distinctive timepiece with notable features, crafted circa 2000. It houses a nickel-finished lever ...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Elgin Octagonal Art Deco 14k Gold Filled Silver Floral Dial ladies Watch
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned Elgin Vintage Octagonal Shaped 14k White Gold Filled Silver Floral Dial Wristwatch. Patina on the Dial, Blue Hands Showing Rust. No Original Bo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Recently Viewed

View All