An outstanding example of American railroad horology! Offered here is a beautiful Waltham Vanguard 23-Jewel Railroad Grade Pocket Watch, featuring the highly regarded Grade No. 1623, Model 1908 movement, dating to approximately July 1941.
This premium 16-size, lever-set movement features a nickel-finished bridge plate, Breguet hairspring, and precision adjustments to six positions, temperature, and isochronism—hallmarks of Waltham's commitment to railroad timekeeping excellence.
The movement runs great! It winds and operates smoothly during observation, making this an especially appealing example for collectors and enthusiasts of American railroad watches. Its beautiful white dial features bold black Arabic numerals, an inner 13–24-hour track, blued-style hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
The watch is housed in an attractive Illinois Watch Case Co. BERTMAR Quality TIVOLI case, featuring a distinctive vertically striped back with geometric ornamentation and decorative detailing. A wonderful combination of precision American watchmaking and vintage craftsmanship.
According to the supplied Waltham production records, this movement belongs to a production run of just 4,000 movements, adding further collector interest.
A fine example ready for display, enjoyment, or inclusion in a serious railroad pocket watch collection.
✅ Manufacturer: American Waltham Watch Co., Massachusetts
✅ Grade: Vanguard No. 1623, Model 1908
✅ Production: Approximately July 1941
✅ Movement serial: 30,568,324
✅ Movement: 16-size, 23 jewels, lever-set, nickel-finished bridge plates
✅ Adjustments: Six positions, temperature, and isochronism
✅ Dial: White railroad-style dial with 24-hour inner numerals and subsidiary seconds
✅ Case: Illinois Watch Case Co., BERTMAR Quality, TIVOLI
Founded in 1850, the American Waltham Watch Company helped revolutionize American watchmaking through precision engineering and interchangeable-part manufacturing. Its Vanguard line represented some of the company's finest railroad-grade pocket watch movements, built for demanding timekeeping applications.
The 23-jewel Vanguard remains highly respected among collectors for its mechanical sophistication, fine construction, and important place in American railroad history.
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