One of the truly great things about the mechanical watch industry is its rich and far-reaching heritage. Many of today’s iconic watch brands have a history which stretches back centuries and in today’s modern world, this really sets them apart.
As a family-owned watch store, Manhattan Time Service’s lineage stretches back over 30 years and in that time it has seen an incredible number of watches pass through its doors – some new, some old and some very old.
The latest being an exquisite 54MM, silver case pocket watch. Dating back to 1864, it was one of the earliest Waltham pocket watches produced by the American Watch Company, having originated in Waltham Massachusetts.
The American Watch Co or Waltham Watch Company, as it was also known, created a pocket watch as steeped in rich history as the brand itself, with none other than former US president Abraham Lincoln a renowned Waltham watch owner. After delivering the iconic Gettysburg Address in 1863, given during the American Civil War, President Lincoln was presented with a Waltham Model 1857 pocket watch.
In this 1864 version the minimalist dial, for ease of reading, has been carved out of pure enamel and its mainspring needs to be wound using a special key.
The time is set by opening up the crystal and exposing the hands, which is set by the same key that winds the mainspring.
What’s the difficulty in repairing such a pocket watch? The in-house watchmaker’s at Manhattan Time Service have to be extremely careful not to damage any inner movement components, as they are no longer available and would have to be re-made from scratch.
Visit the Repairs Center to discover more about Manhattan Time Service’s watch restoration and servicing.