Massive 17 oz English silver Waltham pocket watch c1881

This pocket watch has a specially made “one off” English silver case. It was probably a commissioned piece or an apprentice piece. The whole watch weighs 553g with approximately 17 – 18 ounces of silver. To give you some idea of the rarity, large American coin silver cases were made – many 3 or 4 ounces which are relatively common. A 6 ounce case is considered rare, a 10 ounce case is exceptionally rare and no American made case approaches the weight of this one.

The watch has an American Waltham movement made for the English market. The movement was made 1881 and the case has English silver hallmarks for Chester 1881

Movement – the gilt 7 Jewel lever movement is signed “Waltham, Mass, Fattorini” # 1712059. The movement is in 90% mint condition

Case – well what can I say about this case apart from that it is massive. The case has a hinged inner, back and bezel. The thickness of the case between the movement and edge is 17mm – a normal American equivalent 18 size case would have the thickness at approx 6mm.

The case has case makers initials for WJ

The case has large gold hinges and a vacant crest on the back. The case is in 85% mint condition – there are many nicks, scratches and dents around the edges and the back edge has a fine but long split on the very edge, probably due to stress from the weight.  

Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is in 100% mint condition

The watch measures 80mm wide x 26mm deep

The watch is key wound / key set

The watch has a very large and original mineral glass but this does have a patch of scratches.