Front Back Case Mark Cuvette, Cuvette Mark,  Movement, Movement Closeup

Waltham 1872 Model American Grade OF. The first 1872 Model Open Face movements were produced at about the same time as Charles Vander Woerd was experimenting with his patented sawtooth balance in an attempt to address the problem of middle temperature error. A few examples have been discovered that are both Woerd's Patent and Open Face in the American Grade. This one with serial number 1427909 is the second one I have seen in 15 years. The Waltham records indicate that only 20 examples were made.

This example appears to have its original case and dial even though the dial is of the simpler block lettering form. Contrast this with the more classic 1872 model dial on the Hunting Case example. The heavy 18K case marked AWCo.

A detailed examination of this watch and the hunting case example indicates that the two watches were made at approximately the same time even though the serial numbers differ by over 400,000. This is a counter example to the generally held view that Waltham produced its watches relatively sequentially by serial number (as distinct from Elgin that allocated large number blocks and apparently kept unfinished stock on hand).  The Waltham handwritten ledgers place the production of the hunting case examples as starting in December of 1879 and running to June of 1882. The open face examples with Woerd's Patent marking are in the run of 1,427,901 - 1,427,920  and were made in August and September of 1881. The runs, although 427,000 numbers apart were made in the same period.