Waltham 16S 23J lever set (LS) adj. 8p Vanguard grade No. 1623 pocket watch #33768231, impressive nickel bridge movement with bold red ruby jewels, a gold center wheel and a wide-bar style damascene pattern, off-white hard enamel dial with a black imitation double sunk (DS) line, black boxcar style numbers, black minute markers and a black-marked subsidiary seconds register is marked "Waltham Vanguard 23 Jewels", dial has a number of small scratches and spots of light discoloration, bold black steel spade & whip style hands, heavy yellow gold filled (YGF) smooth polish Star screw back & bezel (SB&B) case with coin edge bezels, short heavy sculpted shoulders with a recessed crown and a heavy fancy bow, case is showing normal moderate wear with small spots of brass starting on the bezels, pendant & bow along with some short but notable scratches and patches of scuffing on the back cover, measures approx. 51mm in diameter x 63mm in length x 13mm thick (crystal included). A high quality Waltham railroad grade watch from the 1950s, running great and perfect to carry everyday in excellent overall condition!
- Year Made: 1953-1954
- Company:
Waltham
-
Movement Size:
0516S
- Jewels: 0523J
- Setting/Movement Type:
lever set
- Adjustments: 8 positions
- Model/Grade: Vanguard grade No. 1623
- Serial #: 33768231
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Movement Details: bridge layout, gold center wheel
- Dial Material: hard enamel
- Dial Color: ivory/off-white
- Dial Details:
imitation double sunk (DS) accent line, boxcar style numbers
- Hand Style:
spade & whip
- Case Style:
SB&B
-
Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
- Case Details:
Star, recessed crown
-
Case Width/Diameter:
51mm (2.01 inches)
-
Case Length, bow included:
63mm (2.48 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
13mm (0.51 inches)
- Crystal Material: plastic
- Condition:
Excellent
-
Gender:
Gentlemen's
The Waltham watch company, and the earlier American Waltham Watch Co., which had a variety of locations over the many years it was in operation (including Waltham, Massachusetts), was in business from 1851-1957, and was one of the most prolific of the American watch companies.
As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for Waltham serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company; additional information may also be found on
Wikipedia.
You may browse all of our men's pocket watches from this manufacturer at our
Vintage Men's Waltham Pocket Watches category.
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of October 3rd, 2025, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
This is considered a "railroad-grade" pocket watch. To be a railroad-grade watch, the following criteria must be met:
- be 16S or 18S
- have 17 or more jewels
- be lever set
- be in an open face case
- be adjusted to 5 or more positions.
- have easily-legible Arabic dial numerals
In order to ensure the accuracy of pocket watches used by railroad employees, with the ultimate goal of preventing train accidents, the General Railroad Timepiece Standards Commission published a set of guidelines for railroad companies and watch manufacturers in 1893. These guidelines, which specified the criteria for a railroad-grade watch, were prepared by Webb C. Ball, the general time inspector of North American railroads and founder of the Ball Watch Company.
For more information, visit this
Wikipedia article on railroad chronometers or this
Smithsonian National Postal Museum article on the influential train wreck tragedy that resulted in the establishment of railroad watch standards.
Our entire collection of such timepieces may also be viewed at our
Railroad Grade Watches category.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.
