The History of The Waltham Watch Company

What would later come to be known as the Waltham Watch Company broke ground on a style of watchmaking that would carry on through the 20th century until today. Waltham's history is a story of New World innovation-and part of the greater history of the United States.
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[@maritimeus]

I’m from Waltham, Mass. We’re proud of our contributions to the American Industrial Revolution. And of course, it’s pronounced “Wall Tham”. There’s no thumb in Waltham 😂 Great video and thanks for showing everyone that Waltham made the best watches in the world.

[@TimesTicking]

@maritimeus Say hello to 'Wall Tham' for us! 👋 and .. Thanks for you support!!!

[@maritimeus]

@@TimesTickinganytime!

[@Lehmann108]

I just inherited my great grandfather's Waltham pocket watch. And I was also born in Waltham, MA!

[@brianfuller7691]

Great video. Waltham is utterly iconic in horology.

[@TimesTicking]

@ Brian Fuller Agree! 💯

[@vickigeorge5348]

I just inherited my great grandfather's 1890 Waltham pocket watch. He worked at the Waltham factory in MA.

[@carolrotondo9619]

This is so cool ! My Great Granfather was George W. Hoar, My Grandfather was Norman W. hoar, of Lincoln, MA….. they were owners of Waltham, and were the founders of Waltham Machine works, in Waltham. What a treat to watch this video and to see how many lives were touched by the company.

[@gravedigr12]

Thanks for the information got my hands on a waltham demihunter case pocket watch from 1893 its so very cool

[@TimesTicking]

@gravedigr12 Amazing find! Congratulations!!!

[@rogerbranton1752]

Today, I just came into possession on a Waltham pocket watch. It has been in the family and I vaguely knew about it. Along with the watch itself came the story of its history - which was all new to me! The watch was a retirement gift to my grandfather from Col. Samuel McLaughlin, the founder of General Motors Canada. Sam and my grandfather, Fred, had been childhood friends in Tyrone, Ontario, which was home to the McLaughlin carriage works. As young men, they both worked there, with Sam working on the carrages and Fred doing the upholstery. When Sam moved operations to Oshawa to build McLaughlin-Buicks, he brought Fred with him as his upholsterer. The watch wasn't working and had a recent valuation of a mere ten dollars! Once I got it home, I opened it up and sprayed a little WD40 into it. Damned if it didn't spring to life after many decades of being wound-up and siezed!

[@TimesTicking]

@rogerbranton1752 Really cool treasure you found! Thanks for sharing your story and its amazing history. If you ever need assistance visit www.timesticking.com/waltham-watch-repair Say 'Hi' to Ontario for us 🍁

[@shorty332]

I recently acquired an American Watch Co key wind pocket watch from an antique store that was going out of business. On the inside, where the balance wheel is located are the words inscribed, Appleton Tracy Company Waltham Mass.

[@TimesTicking]

@shorty332 According to AI - The Appleton, Tracy & Co. was established in 1857 after the bankruptcy and subsequent auction of the Boston Watch Company. Royal E. Robbins acquired the company and renamed it Appleton, Tracy & Co. (ATCo). The company operated under this name until 1859, when it merged with the Waltham Improvement Company to form the American Watch Company. Initially based in Roxbury, Massachusetts, the company's operations moved to Waltham, Massachusetts, where it became renowned for mass-producing high-quality watches.

[@jeffreyoneill6439]

My wife has a beautiful Waltham watch, from 1914. Fully jewelled and gold plated wheels. She loves it!

[@TimesTicking]

@Jeffrey O'Neill Sounds beautiful! 🙂

[@Mrfujimata2]

Great video. I grew up only a few miles from the factory. The only note I have is that locals say Wal-tham as two syllables with the th pronounced as in thursday.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

Thanks for the great video. My father just passed down my great great grandfathers waltham 845. Until now I knew nothing about waltham.

[@TimesTicking]

@The wild Snapper Happy you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching! 🙂

[@mrberryman]

Great video! I watched it because I just bought an 1877 Crescent Garden watch in the UK. It still works perfectly.

[@TimesTicking]

Fantastic! Thanks for watching!

[@davidmckenzie3398]

Thanks for making this video. I was born directly across the Charles River from the Waltham Watch Factory building. How timeless is that?! Lol

[@TimesTicking]

@David McKenzie Very cool! Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your support! Take care.

[@MDCF1565]

Great info, I've had my American Waltham # 4601 for many years, I was going to start using it as I knew nothing about it and just loved the way it looked, I'm a 1500s 1830s Spanish colonial artifacts hunter and also collect Civil War period artifacts had no idea what I had as it has been in a box for the past 30 years, just pulled it out and gave it a little wind and it's ticking like it never stopped. The engravings are beautiful inside and out ... Lol I'm afraid to use it now, darned it. Back to the box ... 🥴

[@davestelling]

These timepieces were meant to be used, everyday. Enjoy it!

[@gravedigr12]

You can enjoy it for sure but I would suggest having it serviced by a reputable herologist every 5 years the oil will dry out over time and effect how the watch runs the bearings also wear out much faster.

[@Sundry303]

I have an American waltham, getting it fixed right now. Truly an amazing watch

[@keithwild3552]

Can I ask where?

[@mikesnitro]

Well done!

[@AlamoCityCello]

Fine documentary. Bravo!

[@alexwest2573]

I have a Waltham from 1903, it’s a lovely watch

[@seanantie294]

As a graduation present my grandfather is going to give me his Waltham pocket watch which is 101 years old this year that’s been in the family for 2 generations and I’ll be the third, we have to send it off to be repaired but it will be something I will treasure forever

[@TimesTicking]

@Sean Antie Very cool! If you need help with your Waltham, we can help. Visit www.timesticking.com/waltham-watch-repair to get started. We'll email notify you when it arrives. Take care.

[@jonathansmith283]

found a WALTHAM WATCH , my fathers watch. he was stationed in BOSTON with the USN , WWII. in the process of locating the serial # . it is smaller- @ 32-34 mm. . - in Connecticut. good video. ~ JDS/CT

[@briannotafan3368]

had a divers watch best watch i ever owned it came in a jar of water as a package cost apox 29.00 made it through basic training & ranger school i was never late it & me made it through granada with out a scratch i wrote them a letter thanking them i got a 20% discount card in return from waltham

[@TimesTicking]

@Brian notafan Cool story! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@davestelling]

Well done, enjoyed. Thanks...

[@TimesTicking]

Many thanks!

[@antiquesandclocks.inc.8368]

I have a gold Waltham pocket watch in really good condition and working I carry around on me every day and tell the time with it with the original chain and everybody tries to buy it off me and I remember one time one of the persons found my number and wouldn't stop calling me and I had to get to a restraining order and went to court and now he can't go into 50 feet with me

[@Jacob-le6nh]

Yeah that’s not true

[@antiquesandclocks.inc.8368]

@@Jacob-le6nh and how do you know?

[@Jacob-le6nh]

@@antiquesandclocks.inc.8368 bs detector

[@antiquesandclocks.inc.8368]

@@Jacob-le6nh ?

[@RobFSwitch]

@@Jacob-le6nh no it’s 100 % true. I was so embarrassed when I was served the restraining order but I understand. Anyhoo, now that we are reunited on YT, are you thinking of selling?

[@HobbyOrganist]

The quartz krap made these days no matter what "brand" is on the dial isn't worth the garbage it's stamped out of, nothing holds a candle to these hand-made Waltham pocketwatches, not only made from QUALITY materials throughout, but opening the case and seeing the fancy engraved designs on the movements bridges etc is absolutely stunning. I have to laugh when I see quartz watches priced at hundreds of dollars and lots more, with the gold and diamond on the $799 watch being about $790 of the price and the actual "movement" about $9 with the $2 battery included, LOL!

[@MythicalDust]

Damn, a really watch snob found I the wild, cringe.

[@mammotharcher1139]

I got an old watch from this company but some of the parts are broken sadly

[@rynow1992]

Inherited my great great great great grandfather golf railroad pocket watch. Want to find somewhere to get it working again

[@rynow1992]

He used it while working on the railroad and had to have precise timing to make sure no collisions would occur

[@TimesTicking]

@Ryan Waite You could try someone local or, if not, visit www.timesticking.com/watch-repair to get started, we can help you with your watch. Take care.

[@rynow1992]

@@TimesTicking awesome thanks for giving me some leads

[@midnightthinker5479]

I subscribed cause u seem my age and we both young n like pocket watches lol😊

[@metalbat8494]

I have waltham 25 jewels how much if i will sell it

[@MrSonic731]

I have one with a name and location “providence RI”

[@kathleenkendrick9034]

I have an old Waltham watch that was my grandfather and would like to what it's worth please

[@TimesTicking]

@ Kathleen Kendrick You said "I have an old Waltham watch that was my grandfather" Our opinion = priceless. Thanks for watching :)

[@aaronjosephalineafandino8188]

this is the history of waltham watches it was so old and so expensive watches right now few people have it because this watches company is wipe out

[@tammywhitaker963]

Lincoln 🎵🌌⏳

[@aaronjosephalineafandino8188]

yes it was pass generation to generation cause it was vintage now and so expensive

[@joelstatosky1817]

A lot of Waltham watches are actually not that expensive. However there are some expensive models, but they are very rare and at the time the only people who would be able to afford them would be comparable to modern day millionaires and billionaires

[@infinity2636]

They aren’t that expensive you could probably get a good working one for a couple hundred , not that expensive when you consider lots of people buy wristwatches worth a few thousand

[@Katherine_xs]

I think mine is worth nothing it has a train on it, battery one😩 and says hong khong inside

[@westvirginiatransparency1305]

I have 1932 waltham pocket watch Needs restored.

[@TimesTicking]

@West Virginia Transparency If you need help with your vintage Waltham, we can help. We have different levels of watchmakers as we repair all/any levels of watches from luxury Swiss to fashion. We're proud to provide free estimates to our customers. We only do estimates on watches that we have had a chance to look at to provide an accurate estimate. We do not send parts out. To send your watch, visit www.timesticking.com/watch-repair to get started. We will send you an email notification once we receive your watch. Thank you, Times Ticking Team