Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, MA. A wall timepiece or banjo clock. 223265.
This fine Federal Massachusetts Improved Timepiece, commonly known as a "Banjo clock," was crafted by the esteemed Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, around 1920. This model, listed in their catalog as the model No. 1543, was a symbol of elegance and precision in its time. Originally sold for $85.00 in the first quarter of the twentieth century, its value had increased to $97.30 by 1930, reflecting its enduring appeal and historical significance. This clock is not just a timepiece, but a piece of history that connects us to the elegance and precision of the past.
This lovely clock, a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of its time, features a mahogany case and retains an original finish. The frames feature blocked corners and concave linear moldings fitted with brass-shaped rope. A wooden presentation bracket is mounted to the bottom of the case. This bracket is a traditional form. It is decorated with eight brass balls and features an acorn-shaped drop finial. The eagle finial, shapely-formed sidearms, and bezel are brass.
The bezel opens to a painted iron dial with Roman-style hour numerals, a closed minute ring, and the Maker's signature, "WALTHAM."
The reverse-painted tablets are hand-painted in excellent colors, illustrating the Artist's high skill level. This matching set of glasses features a yellow field of color. The intricate borders are decorated in red, gold, and black cross-hatching. The throat tablet features a traditional timepiece theme in its center. An urn is positioned at the bottom, and a vine or a column of flowers rises out of it. The lower tablet features a mountainous pastoral scene. On the lake is a sailboat. On the right is a point where a tower complex and archway are located. A fisherman is strolling by with a net over his shoulders.
The brass movement, a testament to the Waltham Watch Company's commitment to quality, is mounted with diagonally positioned wood screws through the backplate and into the backboard. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a wind. The quality is outstanding. It features heavy plates, 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 '8275' on the left.
This clock measures approximately inches long overall.
Inventory number 223265.
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.
