Waltham P.S. Bartlett Pocket Watch c.1892 | 14K Rose Gold Box Hinge Hunter | 18 Size

The watch combines the mechanical craftsmanship of the American Waltham Watch Company with the elegance of a richly decorated Victorian-era solid-gold case.

Details:

MAKE

Manufacturer: Waltham
Model: P.S. Bartlett
Country: USA
Type: Man’s
Serial #: 5340544
Circa Date: 1892

CASE

Size: 18 Size.

Style: Box Hinge Hunter Case.

Material: 14K Rose Gold.

Decorations:  Engraved with floral designs..

Weighs:  98.3 DWTS

Conditions:  C  3  (The case is in Very Good condition)

DIAL

Color: White.

Type: Single sunk porcelain dial.

Numerals: Roman Numerals.

Hands: Spade Hands.

Conditions:  D  2  (The dial is in Perfect condition)

MOVEMENT

Jewels: 15 Jewels.

Setting: Lever Set.

Escapement: Lever Escapement.

Layout: Full Plate Layout.

Signed:  Yes.

Conditions:  M  3  (The movement is in Very Good condition)

It would make a handsome addition to a collection of antique American pocket watches, solid-gold timepieces, or nineteenth-century mechanical watches.

A Substantial 14K Rose Gold Box-Hinge Hunting Case

One of the most impressive features of this pocket watch is its 18 Size solid 14K rose gold hunting case.

The case features traditional box-hinge construction, a desirable style associated with substantial nineteenth-century pocket-watch cases.

Unlike conventional exposed hinges, box-hinge construction incorporates a more enclosed hinge arrangement, providing a distinctive appearance and substantial mechanical design.

The exterior is decorated with attractive floral engraving, reflecting the ornate craftsmanship popular during the Victorian era.

Rose gold derives its warm reddish color from the copper content of the gold alloy, giving the case a particularly rich appearance.

The watch is cataloged at 98.3 pennyweights, approximately 152.9 grams.

Its substantial weight, precious-metal construction, and decorative engraving make the case an important part of this watch's collector appeal.

Waltham P.S. Bartlett — An Important American Watch Grade

The P.S. Bartlett grade is an established name in the history of American Waltham pocket watches.

Named for one of the important figures associated with the company's early development, the P.S. Bartlett designation appeared on Waltham movements during the nineteenth century.

The American Waltham Watch Company was among the pioneers of machine-based watch manufacturing in the United States.

Its development of standardized production methods helped establish American watchmaking as a major international industry.

By the 1890s, Waltham was producing a wide range of pocket watches for different markets, including substantial 18 Size movements housed in elaborate gold and silver cases.

This circa-1892 example combines a traditional P.S. Bartlett movement with a particularly handsome solid-gold hunting case.

White Single-Sunk Porcelain Dial

The watch features a beautiful white single-sunk porcelain dial with Roman numerals and traditional spade hands.

The recessed subsidiary seconds area adds depth to the dial while retaining a clean, classical appearance.

The Roman numerals complement the watch's Victorian-era styling, while the spade hands provide an elegant finishing touch.

Signed 15-Jewel Full-Plate Movement

At the heart of the watch is a signed Waltham P.S. Bartlett 15-jewel movement, serial number 5,340,544.

The movement features traditional full-plate construction, characteristic of many American pocket watches of the period.

Its 15 jewels provide durable bearing surfaces at selected friction points, helping reduce wear within the mechanism.

The movement incorporates a lever escapement and lever setting.

Lever setting requires the setting lever to be accessed before adjusting the hands, reducing the possibility of accidental time changes.

An Elegant American Pocket Watch from 1892

Dating to approximately 1892, this Waltham was produced during a period when pocket watches were both essential personal timekeepers and important expressions of individual style.

Substantial solid-gold hunting cases were particularly desirable among buyers seeking a combination of mechanical craftsmanship and fine jewelry.

The warm rose gold, engraved floral decoration, and traditional box-hinge construction give this watch an especially attractive nineteenth-century appearance.

Its classic Waltham movement and beautifully preserved porcelain dial complete an appealing combination of mechanical and decorative craftsmanship.