Origins of the Waltham Model 57

Update History

by Ron Price

Copyright © 2018 - 2023

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

August 17, 2019

  • Updated [ref. 101] Statistical Analysis in References and Notes to incorporate recent additions in the Samuel Curtis and Dennison, Howard & Davis data tables.

August 20, 2019

  • Added names to the Contributor list in the Preface page.

August 22, 2019

  • Updated reference #94 in References.
  • Corrected typos in References for r100, r106 Case 116, and Middlesex deeds

August 27, 2019

  • Update Table 2. BWCo Watches with Factory Cases under Data from Watchcases in Reference for r100.

August 29, 2019

  • All items this date are in main chapter evolution:
  • Posted link to picture of Fitts #16 under TheHoward, Davis & Dennison Watch.
  • Posted link to picture of Warren #31 under The Warren Watch.
  • Edit first paragraph under The Samuel Curtis Watch.
  • Fixed typo in paragraph above Figure 12.
  • Fixed typo in paragraph above Figure 15.
  • Couple minor edits below Figure 15.
  • Edit statement regarding American Watchh Company under Remaining Model 57 Watches.

September 2, 2019

  • All items this date are in main chapter evolution:
  • Added quote from Robbins in paragraph below Figure 15.
  • Added paragraph regarding insolvency inventory document above The AT&Co Watch.
  • Added comments about 16J AT&Co movements above Figure 16A.
  • Added quote from Robbins in paragraph below Depression of 1857.
  • Added statement regarding Robbins stock of watches in 1st paragraph below American Watch Company.

January 17, 2020

  • All items this date are in "References and Notes":
  • Updated 101 Statistical Analysis to include recent DH&D entries; i.e., Surviving Movements chart, Table 1, and Table 2 , plus accompanying text.
  • Ditto Table 3 in 102 Sales Records (underlined #4092).

February 1, 2020

  • Replaced pictures in Figures 6 and 18 in Evolution with color.
  • Changes to Position of Serial Number (first page) in Design Changes.
  • Replaced Figure 38 dial #2 in Design Changes.
  • Replaced Figure 48 picture in Design Changes.

June 4, 2020

  • All items this date are in "References and Notes":
  • Added surviving DH&D #2347 to chart and Table 1
  • Updated text in Data from Watchcases above and below Table 2
  • Added DH&D #6058 to Table 2
  • Updatated Case No. 116, for sheets 3,4,5 & 153

June 8, 2020

  • Updated Table 7 when features were introduced in Design Changes.

July 7, 2020

  • All items this date are in main chapter evolution including various spelling, minor replacement words and grammar changes:
  • Added information about Samuel Curtis and changed Figure 2
  • Added information about Royal Robbins, his picture, and insolvency documents in the area above The Howard & Rice Watch
  • Added picture of Roxbury factory and info above Figure 11
  • Added BWCo production info in the 4 paragraphs above The Appleton Tracy & Co Watch
  • Edited text above Figure 16 and info about Figure 16A

July 11, 2020

  • Updated 101 Ref & Notes to include recent DH&D entries in Surviving Movements chart and Table 1, plus accompanying text..

January 28, 2021

  • Added note about Howard and Dennison having same address end 2nd paragraph in Evolution
  • Added note about Dennison modeled Johnson movement end 2nd paragraph above bottom in Evolution
  • Added note regarding 1856 ad at beginning 1st paragraph under Bankruptcy in Evolution .

January 30, 2021

  • Added paragraph about dials just above Miscellaneous Features in Design Changes.
  • Updated Table 7 when features were introduced in Design Changes

March 30, 2021

  • Updated surviving DH&D table and chart, and cases table in Ref & Notes.

January 28, 2022

  • Updated surviving DH&D table and chart, and cases table in Ref & Notes.

February 5, 2022

  • Updated information about Royal Ronnins photos after the Bankruptcy in Evolution.
  • Added information from Clint Geller on the Model 1859 Watch in Evolution.
  • Added info on the discharge of Dennison under Fig 23, and about the naming of Ellery under the Ellery Watch in Evolution.

February 8, 2022

  • Updated Table 4 on S/Ns under top plate in Ref & Notes.

February 21, 2023

  • Updated surviving DH&D table1 and chart in Ref & Notes.

December 24, 2023

  • Updated stem winds in Design Cchanges.

January 7, 2024

  • Under Ref & Notes:
    -
    added new reference NR after 99
    - added DHD 3334 & 3355 to Table 1 and graph
    - added H&R 6083, DHD 3164 & 3334 to Table 2
  • Added comment in Design Changes about escapements that their parts are listed in the 1857 inventory.
  • Under Evolution
    - added paragraph regarding Am Horologe Co, funding from Howard and Davis
    - added paragraph about Dennison salary under Tracy Baker & Co just above Figure 14
    - added comment at end of 2nd paragraph under Model 1859 about John Wilson and prototype
    - added comment at end of paragraph under Figure 23 that Dennison made James Russell watches
    - removed extra line space after Figure 26

January 9, 2024

  • Correction in Design Changes Figure 60: PSB 6669 --> AT&Co 6669.
  • Gave reference for Figure 14 in Evolution

August 27, 2024

  • added DHD 1051, 1731, 2191 & 2395 to Table 1 and graph in Ref & Notes.

August 28, 2024

  • added DHD 4339 to Table 1 and graph in Ref & Notes.
  • added H&R 6108 & 6235 and AT 27902 & 43297 S/Ns to Table 4 in Ref & Notes.