American exceptionalism in an 1897 pocket watch!

Today we have a stunning old Waltham pocket watch on the bench, an 1897 "Seaside" model. This beauty most likely was a ladies watch given its moderate size, and after making it run I plan to give it to a very special young lady...
Join me for a full service of this fabulous timepiece as we talk about the history of Waltham and its visionary founder Aaron Dennison. And yes, we'll take a couple of detours into how dentures played a part in watchmaking and the frequency of underwear changes!
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Tools and resources for watchmaking as a hobby:
bit.ly/43yQRmw Watchmaking books
bit.ly/3N3rlz3 Watchmaker’s loupe
bit.ly/43vOcu4 Watchmaker tweezers
bit.ly/3Nm0lfc Moebius lubricants
bit.ly/43ITWjM Screwdrivers
bit.ly/468B8wq Case opener
bit.ly/468Bfbk Rodico
bit.ly/3J8mX0u Polywatch
bit.ly/42wAZQf Presto tools
bit.ly/3J6UND7 Bergeon tools
bit.ly/3X21iwL Horotec tools
bit.ly/3X2xiAU Chinese made watchmaking tools
bit.ly/3qFqgWk Digital microscope
bit.ly/3CkZt4f Ultrasonic cleaner
bit.ly/3qAAPtX Ultrasonic cleaning solution
bit.ly/43V9HEr Denture cleaning tablet
bit.ly/3X1rpUl Chinese “Horia style” jeweling tool
bit.ly/3P5EQR7 Demagnetizer
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[@MD-so4ws]

I recently switched to a pocket watch, both in a waistcoat and with Jeans. Fantastic decision, so fun and so many compliments...I need one of these beauties in my life though!

[@home-dp6oh]

Hello Stian: One thing I thought I should mention about this style of watch. This is a "hunting-style" case as opposed to the "open-faced" cases used in most other pocket watches. In case you don't know, when opening the front cover, do not force it past 90 degrees. It will damage the hinge. But even more important one should press the crown in while closing the front cover. The "latch" that catches on a small lip on the inside of the front cover will quickly wear the soft, gold-filled, cover and it will refuse to stay closed. I have worked on mainly pocket watches and clocks for 20+ years. Literally thousands of American pocket watches have crossed my bench. I am always happy to see one of these old treasures show up in such good shape. I might also recommend putting a chain on the watch. It will definitely snap a balance staff pivot if it's dropped due to the lack of any shock absorbing mechanism. I sell watch crystals, balance staffs, and mainsprings if you should have a need in the future. Please let me know how to PM you my contact info if interested. I don't want to promote my business or YT channel on your channel :-). Beautiful work as always!!!! - Mike

[@jamessmith6402]

That’s a lucky young lady 👍

[@justpassnthru]

One of the things that sets your channel apart from other watch repair channels is your extensive history lesson on each watch you repair. Very enjoyable and informative. The other things that set you apart are too numerous to list! 😏

[@clivesouthafrica2086]

What a beautiful old watch. Amazing condition. A very lucky young lady indeed.

[@migueljohnson432]

It is always a joy to see when the balance wheel revives :-) And how happy the young ladies was. Lovely

[@aib0160]

125 years old and in better condition than my 18 month old daily wearer. We could learn a lot from these old watches. I'd much sooner have a decorated movement like that and an enamel dial. Interesting that the watch still had manufacturing defects after all these years though.

[@terjemarken2411]

I'm more interested in wrist watches, like most people are I guess, but this pocket watch is such a beauty! The dial and the blue hands are extremely pretty and all the art work on the case here. This is a real treasure! $75....... a robbery 😄

[@Niak38240]

Hello Stian thank you for that nice video. I really love the American pocket watches from that era 1885 - 1930 they are so beautifully decorated, they are well thought and easily serviceable. And they're another thing I like it's your Solvex RM I dream of that cleaning machine... Lol

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Beautiful inside and out. I'm lucky to have my grandpa's 1940's era Hamilton pocket watch

[@JochenVogel]

What a beauty! I'm the proud owner of two old Waltham watches myself. A railroad watch from 1906, in a "Silverode"-case and a wristwatch from 1923. I bought them mostly because of the gorgeous movement-decorations. Nothing wrong with Côtes de Genêve, but these old American watches took decoration to another level. Thank You for sharing this beautiful sight!

[@uqox]

What an amazing find and restoration. $75!!! Goodness, it did go to the right person, however. Glad to see that watch run again when all the parts looked in great shape. I know she's young but I have high hopes that she comes to cherish that pocket watch and start a new family history for it.

[@lynnjasen9727]

Lucky young lady! Beautiful watch, and the dial was the first thing I really noticed because it’s so rare to see them that pristine. Your videos are always an event for me, because they’re so clear visually and in content. I know a lot more than I used to, but still not very much! 🇨🇦💕

[@repeatdefender6032]

Wow that watch is in incredible shape! Gorgeous!

[@karlgustafson7850]

I just got an American Waltham from the same era from a thrift store in Wisconsin for $24! Glad you put this out so I can learn more about it. My case isnt quite as nice as that one, but agree that they are real stunners!

[@randyallen2771]

Great job Stian! Enjoyed the history lesson too. Hopefully you can find some more pocket watches for future videos.

[@joeskeptical4762]

I fondly remember my daughter at the same size and probably age, dropping my CYMA pocket watch. I cringed when she held it, but fortunately Stian, YOUR DAUGHTER didn’t drop this beautiful Waltham. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WATCH AND SERVICE. I really enjoy watching your videos.

[@stevendark9567]

The condition of the case is just incredible given the age of the piece. Thanks again Stian for your time and effort that's gone into making these videos. We leave not only with a greater appreciation for horology in general, but also with the history and character of the individual piece your meticulous hands bring back to life. I never regret stopping by.

[@Aco747lyte]

That restoration was lovely and vastly increased the value of this fine old Waltham "Seaside" model of 1897. You did well buying it for such a criminally low price. Congratulations! ~Wendi UK 🌻

[@VanguardRT]

Another great history and watchmaking lesson from Stian the master!