Waltham

Founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, under the name American Horologe Company, Waltham revolutionized the way watches were made. By introducing the assembly line to watch manufacturing—a groundbreaking idea at the time—Waltham was able to produce highly accurate and reliable watches at scale. This innovation not only transformed the watch industry but also positioned Waltham as a cornerstone of American industrial ingenuity during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Often referred to as the “Watchmakers to the World,” Waltham’s timepieces became renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and durability. They were chosen by adventurers, military personnel, and railroad workers who required precise and dependable timekeeping. Waltham’s railroad watches, in particular, played a vital role in ensuring train schedules ran smoothly and safely, earning the company widespread acclaim.

By the late 1800s, Waltham had produced millions of watches and earned numerous accolades, including a gold medal at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876.

However, like many legacy brands, Waltham faced challenges as the global watch industry evolved. The company ceased operations in the mid-20th century, but its legacy lives on through the many collectors and enthusiasts who continue to treasure its vintage timepieces.

In recent years there have been several companies who are attempting to revive the Waltham brand.

Why are they special?

At one point Waltham was a seriously productive watchmaker, consistently churning out huge numbers of watches, many of which were aimed at use in industries where accuracy was important. To do this at scale is impressive, even more so considering this was over a century ago.

Further, in an era where the industry is dominated by two nations, Japan and Switzerland, it's easy to forget that at one point there were other centres of excellence, including the USA, and waltham was one of the standard bearers for american watches.

Why do we like them?

Many waltham watches are of very distinctive design, and are available at very reasonable prices considering the brand's prestige. The pieces produced in the 1970s tend not to be as iconic as some of the older more antique pieces or pocket watches but there are still some distinctive designs that are attainable.