Origins of the Waltham Model 57

Table of Contents

by Ron Price

Copyright © 1995-2019

originally published 2005 by NAWCC as Supplement No. 7
this updated online version at
http://www.plads.com/m57/monograph/

Update History

Preface

The Marsh Watch

Commentary

Contributors

Evolution Of The First Successful Industrialized Watch

Boston Watch Company

Figure 1. Aaron Dennison and Edward Howard

Figure 2. The First Watch Factory In America

The Howard, Davis & Dennison Watch

Figure 3. Howard, Davis & Dennison watches, Boston: No. 3 and No. 2

The Warren Watch

The Samuel Curtis Watch

Figure 4. Warren No. 44 and Samuel Curtis No. 899

Figure 5. Early Drawing Of The Boston Watch Co. Factory

The Dennison, Howard & Davis Watch

Figure 6. DH&D Nos. 1016 and 2673

Figure 7. Different Train Arrangements Between Samuel Curtis and Dennison Howard & Davis

Figure 8. Different Pillar Positions Between Samuel Curtis and Dennison Howard & Davis

Figure 9. Old and New Fastening Arrangements of DH&D Potances

Figure 10. Progression Of Pillar Plates On The Curtis and DH&D

Table 1. Introduction of DH&D Design Changes

The Bankruptcy

The Howard & Rice Watch

Figure 11. Howard & Rice S/N 6011

Figure 12. Howard & Rice Regulator on S/N 6011

Figure 13. Howard & Rice S/N 6112

Tracy Baker & Co./Appleton Tracy & Co.

Figure 14. Sketch of the Waltham Factory as it appeared August 28, 1858

Figure 15. DH&D S/Ns 4546 and 4082

The Appleton Tracy & Co. Watch

Figure 16. Three Early Movements from Robbins' factory in July 1857

Figure 16A. New Markings on AT&Co. Barrel Bridges

The C.T. Parker and P.S. Bartlett Watches

Figure 17. First Run C.T. Parker (S/N 1176) & P.S. Bartlett (S/N 1409)

Figure 18. 15J Chas T. Parker 8153 and 11J P.S. Bartlett 8406

Depression of 1857

American Watch Company

Figure 19. Rear view of the American Watch Company factory in 1865

The Chronodrometer Watch

Figure 20. Sporting Chronodrometer No. 13853

The Model 1859 KW18 Watch

Figure 21. Thinner 3/4 Plate Model 1859 KW18

The J. Watson and R.E. Robbins Watches

Figure 22. J. Watson S/N 23878, London

Figure 23. 11J R.E. Robbins 21580 and 11J P.S. Bartlett 33575

The Wm. Ellery Watch

Figure 24. Progression of the Wm. Ellery grade M57

Dennison Pocket Watch Cases

Figure 25. Aaron Dennison Used FFS Hallmark On This Case

The Home Watch Co. Watch

Figure 26. 11J Home Watch Co. Boston & 11J Wm. Ellery Waltham

The Waltham Watch Co. Watch

Figure 27. Waltham Watch Co Grade M57 882249

Upgrading the Grades

Figure 28. 15J AT&Co 365660 and 11J PSB 406849

Crescent Park and Martyn Square Watches

Figure 29. 15J Crescent Park and 7J Martyn Square

Central Park Watch

The Broadway Watch

Figure 30. Example Home and Broadway Grade M57 Movements

Remaining Model 57 Watches

Next Full Plate Models, 1870 and 1877

Figure 31. Model 70KW 520,176 and Model 77KW 1,652901

Custom Watches

Figure 32. Example Private Label Model 57 Watches

Figure 33A. Example Custom Model 57 Watches

Figure 33B. Example Modified Model 57 Watches

Fake Model 57 Watches

Figure 34. Fake Model 57 Wm Ellery and an AT&Co.

Design Changes in the Model 57

Figure 35. Appleton Tracy & Co. Model 57 Stem Wind

Position of Serial Number

Style of Engraving

Figure 36. Early Design Changes on the AT&Co. Grade Model 57

Dials

Figure 37. Dial Signed In Script On P.S. Bartlett 560619

Figure 38. Progression of P.S. Bartlett Model 57 Dials

Miscellaneous Features

Stop Works

Figure 39. Four Types of AT&Co. Model 57 Barrels

Figure 40. Three Types of AT&Co. Barrel Ratchet Arrangements

Top Plate Encircling Barrel

Figure 41. Top Plate Barrel Clearance

Stem Winds

Figure 42. Click Let-Down on Stem Wind Lever Set Movements

Figure 43. Waltham Watch Co. SWKS & Home Watch Co. SWKS

Figure 44. Inscription “Woerd’s Patents” On Train Side of SW Pillar Plate

Figure 45. Early Full “Rocking Bar” SW M57 Movement

Number of Jewels

Jewels

Figure 46. Size Range Of 3rd Wheel Plate Jewel On Model 57s

Jewel Settings

Figure 47. Fake Jewel Settings on P.S. Bartlett Model 57

Index Scale

Figure 48. Sprung Under Model 57 Hairsprings

Figure 49. Sprung Under Hairspring with Hidden Stud

Balances

Figure 50. Composition Balances (Closed/uncut & Expansion)

Hairspring

Figure 51. Sprung Under versus Sprung Over Hairspring

Banking Pins

Fogg’s Safety Center Pinion

Figure 52. C.W. Fogg’s patented safety center pinion

Table 2. Sample Movements finished after Feb 14, 1865, w/o “Fogg’s”

Figure 53. Date Inscription of Fogg’s Patent Safety Pinion

Table 3. Application of “Woerd’s Patents” & Fogg’s patent date

Dust Bands

Figure 54. Standard Model 57 Dust Band

Table 4. Dust Band Screws in Back Plate

Figure 55. Pre-1868 Dust Bands

Escapements

Figure 56. Right-Angle Model 57 Side-Lever Pallet

Figure 57. Six Designs of Model 57 Escape Wheel

Figure 58. Howard & Rice Club Tooth Escape Wheel

Figure 59. H&R Lever with Clear Vertical Pallet Jewels

Features Not Tracked

Types of Potances:

Figure 60. Four Types of Model 57 Potances

Table 5. Change in the ‘U’-bridge Potance to the Cantilevered Potance

Style of Click:

Figure 61. Pillar Plate Views of 1st Series Click and Spring

Winding Square Key Guards:

Train Speed:

Table 6. Train Speed of Different Movements

Types of Mainsprings:

Trivial Items:

Figure 62. Photo of Fitch Park from The Home of the Waltham Watch

Table 7. Summary Range of S/Ns at Which Feature was Introduced

Concluding Comments

Chronology of the Waltham Watch Company

Unsung Hero

Aaron Lufkin Dennison Epitaph

Edward Howard Epitaph

References and Notes

References

Reference Notes

[ref. 100] Serial Number Ledger:

[ref. 101] Statistical Analysis

Table 1. Surviving Dennison, Howard & Davis Movements

Data from Watchcases

Table 2. DH&D Watches with Factory Cases

[ref. 102] Sales Records:

Table 3. DH&D movements from Sales Ledger [ref. 62]

[ref. 103] Serial Number Under Top Plate:

Table 4. Serial Number under Top Plate

[ref. 104] Pay Rolls:

[ref. 105] Franklin Dennison’s Collection

[ref. 106] Relevant Documents

Boston Newspapers

Insolvency Records

Case No. 116 of Samuel Curtis

Case No. 117 of David Davis

Case No. 118 of Edward Howard

Case No. 119 of Aaron Dennison

Registry of Deeds, Norfolk

Registry of Deeds, Middlesex

Data Tables of Recorded Watches

Legend
Warren
Samuel Curtis
Dennison, Howard & Davis
Appleton Tracy & Co./Tracy Baker&Co
C.T. Parker/Chas T. Parker
P.S. Bartlett
J. Watson
R.E. Robbins
American Watch Co.
Wm. Ellery
Waltham Watch Co.
Home Watch Co.
A.W.Co. Broadway
Crescent Park/Martyn Square
Central Park
custom watches and private labels
Howard & Rice/E. Howard & Co.
Sporting Chronodrometer