This is a particularly attractive Waltham automatic from the late 1950s to early 1960s, made even more interesting by the inclusion of its original presentation box and vintage promotional material. It comes from an important transitional period for Waltham, when the famous American watch name continued to appear on watches using Swiss-made movements and components.
Measuring approximately 33.7mm across, 40.9mm lug-to-lug and 10.1mm thick including the crystal, the watch has excellent proportions for a mid-century men's dress watch. The round gold-tone case is framed by an integrated textured/fluted bezel that adds depth and catches the light nicely without overwhelming the otherwise restrained design.
The silver-white sunburst dial is classic 1950s/60s Waltham, with minimalist gold-tone stick markers, elegant dauphine hands and a subtle crosshair design. The Waltham name is presented in the distinctive cursive logo of the period, while the date window at 3 o'clock adds useful everyday functionality.
Inside is a 30-jewel automatic movement from the AS 1700/01 family, with the calibre identification stamped beneath the balance wheel. The rotor is engraved “THIRTY 30 JEWELS,” while the movement also features Incabloc shock protection and anti-magnetic protection. The automatic winding system allows the mainspring to be wound through normal wrist movement, eliminating the need for daily manual winding.
The most unusual part of this example is the accompanying presentation material. The original hard-shell Waltham Centennial presentation box features a striking diagonal red stripe and eagle crest bearing the phrase “Timing the World Since 1850.” The satin-lined interior and accompanying period advertising material provide a fascinating glimpse into how Waltham presented and marketed its watches during this era.
Although Waltham's famous American manufacturing history was already coming to an end by this period, the brand continued to carry considerable recognition in the marketplace. The period advertising proudly emphasized its American heritage, while the watches themselves increasingly reflected the international nature of the Swiss watch industry.
The combination of a 30-jewel automatic movement, date complication, elegant mid-century dial and complete original presentation accessories makes this a particularly appealing Waltham for collectors of both watches and horological advertising history.
A beautifully preserved piece of Waltham's post-American-production era, made considerably more special by its original Centennial presentation box and period promotional material.
This is a particularly attractive Waltham automatic from the late 1950s to early 1960s, made even more interesting by the inclusion of its original presentation box and vintage promotional material. It comes from an important transitional period for Waltham, when the famous American watch name continued to appear on watches using Swiss-made movements and components.
Measuring approximately 33.7mm across, 40.9mm lug-to-lug and 10.1mm thick including the crystal, the watch has excellent proportions for a mid-century men's dress watch. The round gold-tone case is framed by an integrated textured/fluted bezel that adds depth and catches the light nicely without overwhelming the otherwise restrained design.
The silver-white sunburst dial is classic 1950s/60s Waltham, with minimalist gold-tone stick markers, elegant dauphine hands and a subtle crosshair design. The Waltham name is presented in the distinctive cursive logo of the period, while the date window at 3 o'clock adds useful everyday functionality.
Inside is a 30-jewel automatic movement from the AS 1700/01 family, with the calibre identification stamped beneath the balance wheel. The rotor is engraved “THIRTY 30 JEWELS,” while the movement also features Incabloc shock protection and anti-magnetic protection. The automatic winding system allows the mainspring to be wound through normal wrist movement, eliminating the need for daily manual winding.
The most unusual part of this example is the accompanying presentation material. The original hard-shell Waltham Centennial presentation box features a striking diagonal red stripe and eagle crest bearing the phrase “Timing the World Since 1850.” The satin-lined interior and accompanying period advertising material provide a fascinating glimpse into how Waltham presented and marketed its watches during this era.
Although Waltham's famous American manufacturing history was already coming to an end by this period, the brand continued to carry considerable recognition in the marketplace. The period advertising proudly emphasized its American heritage, while the watches themselves increasingly reflected the international nature of the Swiss watch industry.
The combination of a 30-jewel automatic movement, date complication, elegant mid-century dial and complete original presentation accessories makes this a particularly appealing Waltham for collectors of both watches and horological advertising history.
A beautifully preserved piece of Waltham's post-American-production era, made considerably more special by its original Centennial presentation box and period promotional material.