This beautifully engraved Art Deco Waltham wristwatch is a stunning piece of early North American horology, with a 30mm case that wears like a modern watch while still carrying all the charm of the 1920s. The case is richly decorated in period engraving, giving it a bold geometric elegance that perfectly reflects the Art Deco aesthetic.
Inside beats a movement with deep roots in American watchmaking history: the Waltham Grade Seaside, a 15-jewel movement originally designed for pocket watches. Manufactured in Waltham, Massachusetts, this caliber was first produced in the late 19th century (this example’s serial number traces to 1896) and later repurposed during the 1920s as wristwatches began to overtake pocket watches in popularity. The presence of a Breguet hairspring and pendant setting showcases the quality and attention to detail that made Waltham a leader in precision timekeeping.
The result is a fascinating piece of horological history: an early American wristwatch born from the transitional era when manufacturers converted proven pocket watch movements into smaller wristworn cases. Few watches capture the intersection of changing fashion, technology, and artistry as well as this one.
This example, with its crisp Art Deco design, engraved case, and historically significant Waltham movement, is both a wearable timepiece and a tangible link to America’s golden age of watchmaking.
This beautifully engraved Art Deco Waltham wristwatch is a stunning piece of early North American horology, with a 30mm case that wears like a modern watch while still carrying all the charm of the 1920s. The case is richly decorated in period engraving, giving it a bold geometric elegance that perfectly reflects the Art Deco aesthetic.
Inside beats a movement with deep roots in American watchmaking history: the Waltham Grade Seaside, a 15-jewel movement originally designed for pocket watches. Manufactured in Waltham, Massachusetts, this caliber was first produced in the late 19th century (this example’s serial number traces to 1896) and later repurposed during the 1920s as wristwatches began to overtake pocket watches in popularity. The presence of a Breguet hairspring and pendant setting showcases the quality and attention to detail that made Waltham a leader in precision timekeeping.
The result is a fascinating piece of horological history: an early American wristwatch born from the transitional era when manufacturers converted proven pocket watch movements into smaller wristworn cases. Few watches capture the intersection of changing fashion, technology, and artistry as well as this one.
This example, with its crisp Art Deco design, engraved case, and historically significant Waltham movement, is both a wearable timepiece and a tangible link to America’s golden age of watchmaking.
