Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts. Wall timepiece. TT-58.
This fine Federal Massachusetts improved timepiece or "Banjo clock" was made by the Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, circa 1925.
The case is constructed in mahogany. Many of the surfaces retain their original gilding, which is in excellent original condition. This includes the turned wooden finial, the frames, the rope decoration, and the presentation bracket.
The reverse-painted tablets are skillfully hand-painted in pleasing colors. Both tablets are decorated with geometric themes.
The brass bezel is fitted with convex glass and opens to a painted iron dial featuring Arabic hour numerals. The signature reads, "Waltham."
The weight-driven movement is designed for eight days on a full wind. As one might expect, the quality is outstanding. It features heavy brass rectangular-shaped plates finished in a damascene design, maintaining power, and a Geneva Stop winding mechanism. The front plate is die-stamped with the Maker's name in the upper right corner. It is also numbered "8001" on the left. The brass movement is mounted with steel screws that attach to a metal mounting bracket.
This very pretty clock measures approximately 42 inches long overall.
Inventory number TT-58.
The Waltham Clock and Waltham Watch Companies, in their various forms, have been synonymous with quality timepieces. The Company was first established in Waltham, Massachusetts, in January of 1897 as the Waltham Clock Company. Their products, known for their excellent quality, included hall, shelf, and then wall clocks. In 1913, they merged with the watchmaking giant Waltham Watch, but continued to produce clocks under the Waltham Clock name until 1923, when the name was changed to the Waltham Watch and Clock Company. In 1925, the name was changed again to the Waltham Watch Co. The production of pendulum clocks is reported to have ceased around 1930.
