{"product_id":"1865-waltham-p-s-bartlett-civil-war-era-18-size-pocket-watch-same-brand-given-to-abraham-lincoln-at-gettysburg","title":"1865 Waltham P.S. Bartlett Civil War Era 18 size Pocket Watch - Same Brand Given to Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew moments in American history carry the weight and emotion of the years surrounding the Civil War. This early Waltham Model 1857 pocket watch was finalized in October of 1865, only months after the war’s conclusion, though many of its components were almost certainly manufactured while the conflict itself was still unfolding. As such, it is not simply a watch from the Civil War era - it is a tangible artifact that physically bridges wartime America and the nation’s uncertain transition into Reconstruction.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the iconic American pocket watch companies was American Watch Co., later known as Waltham for the city in which it was founded. It produced reliable timepieces that became essential tools for soldiers, businessmen, and leaders alike. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1860, as President Abraham Lincoln was elected, the country was in Civil War. In the midst of the American Civil War, when the fate of the Union was still uncertain, the American Watch Co. production ground to a near halt. The company decided to downsize to the lowest possible level to keep the factory open. It worked: Upon his Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln became the proud owner of a William Ellery model Waltham watch. President Lincoln's watch - made in January 1863 - and it resided in the Rockford Museum until it was stolen in 1977. Another of Lincoln's watches resides in the collection of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe are very pleased to offer today this Civil War Era Waltham, that according to the company's hand-written ledger, was produced in 1865 and finished in October of 1865 (see a photo of the page below). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe period during which this watch and many of its components were produced was one of the most turbulent and transformative in American history. As parts of the movement and case were being manufactured, the Civil War was still actively raging across the country. Rail lines were carrying troops and supplies instead of just commerce, newspapers were filled with battlefield reports from places like Gettysburg, Petersburg, and Atlanta, and the nation’s future remained uncertain. By the time this watch was finalized and entered into Waltham’s factory ledger in October 1865, the war had only recently ended. Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated just six months earlier, soldiers were still returning home, and the country had begun the long and difficult process of Reconstruction. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrecision timekeeping would become increasingly critical in the years that followed, particularly as railroads expanded and American manufacturing accelerated. Waltham was positioned at the forefront of that transformation, pioneering interchangeable-part production methods that would influence not only watchmaking, but American industrial manufacturing as a whole.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has s a P.S. Bartlett grade movement - one of the better-appointed early grades produced by the American Watch Company. Named after one of the company’s early leaders, the Bartlett grade reflects Waltham’s effort not only to standardize production through interchangeable parts, but to elevate quality and finishing during these formative years. It features an engraved balance cock and blued screws, details that underscore the higher-grade finish of this early American Watch Co. production.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Appleton, Tracy \u0026amp; Co. signature places this watch firmly within the earliest chapter of the company’s history, before the Waltham name became dominant. Watches bearing this signature represent a transitional moment in American horology - when the company was laying the groundwork for what would become the American system of watch manufacturing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere is a little more about it...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eHandsome original coin silver case\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e Original porcelain dial that presents beautifully with original blue steel hands\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eLarge 18 size, measuring approximately a full 54mm in diameter\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eKey wound movement with winding key\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis example is accompanied by a print-off of factory ledger entry documenting its production in October 1865. These handwritten records are among the most direct surviving links to Waltham’s early operations, and the inclusion of this ledger page ties the watch concretely to the factory floor during this pivotal moment in American history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts coin silver case is in honest condition. Its wonderful enamel dial presents in honest condition as well with light fading. It doesn't appear to have any cracks or hairlines at all.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree of our Master Watchmakers poured countless hours for over 7 years into restoring the movement of this watch to breathe new life into it for many years including sourcing and even fabricating needed parts (restoration value $1,695). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmazingly after more than 150 years, it continues to keep very accurate time for a watch of its age. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAccompanying it is its original or period key and a photo of the page in Waltham's hand-written production ledger.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a tangible artifact from the last months and aftermath of the American Civil War - a Waltham P.S. Bartlett that reflects both the resilience of American industry and the transition into a new era of growth and modernization. With its painstaking functional movement restoration, included key, and factory ledger documentation, it stands as a historically grounded and complete example from one of the most important periods in American horology that is ready to be enjoyed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e American Watch Co.\/Waltham\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin:\u003c\/b\u003e U.S.A. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSerial no.:\u003c\/b\u003e 188,899\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate manufactured:\u003c\/b\u003e 1865 finished and recorded into the ledger in October.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/b\u003e Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigned for:\u003c\/b\u003e Men\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase material:\u003c\/b\u003e Coin silver \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase style:\u003c\/b\u003e Hunter case with smooth exterior and central monogrammed cartouche; hinged front and back covers; engine-turned inner case \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Its coin silver case is in honest condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e Approx. 54mm diameter (excluding the crown)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e White enamel with Roman numerals, signed Appleton Tracy \u0026amp; Co., original, honest condition with light fading and doesn't appear to have any cracks or hairlines at all.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHands:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, blue steel \"spades\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement:\u003c\/b\u003e Key-wind, key-set mechanical movement; gilt plates; engraved balance cock; blued screws; script engraved “P.S. Bartlett”; serial numbered 188899\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement markings:\u003c\/b\u003e P.S. Bartlett, Waltham, Boston Mass., 188,899\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal type:\u003c\/b\u003e Mineral glass, excellent condition \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eServiced:\u003c\/b\u003e Three of our Master Watchmakers poured countless hours for over 7 years into restoring the movement of this watch to breathe new life into it for many years including sourcing and even fabricating needed parts (restoration value $1,695).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTiming:\u003c\/b\u003e Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It continues to keep very accurate time for a watch of its age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/b\u003e One-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox\/Papers:\u003c\/b\u003e BOX - Watch packaging box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Printout of Waltham Production Ledger page; KEY - Original or period winding\/setting key \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReturns:\u003c\/b\u003e 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"American Watch Co.\/Waltham","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43355748106329,"sku":"6671","price":1745.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1219\/5194\/files\/1176443218_o.jpg?v=1779895485","url":"https:\/\/shop.connoisseuroftime.com\/products\/1865-waltham-p-s-bartlett-civil-war-era-18-size-pocket-watch-same-brand-given-to-abraham-lincoln-at-gettysburg","provider":"Connoisseur of Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}