While there is no doubt Switzerland has produced – and continues to produce – exquisite timepieces; during the Victorian era, many regarded the American Waltham Watch Company as the finest watch manufacturer in the world. American clock and watchmaking – specifically Waltham's novel "mechanized" approach to manufacturing timepieces was the impetus for interchangeable parts and the Industrial Revolution. From its inception in 1857 through WWI, Waltham was hailed as "The World's Watchmaker." Today, collectors and scholars around the world are re-discovering both style and engineering of American horology. In 1894, The American Waltham Watch Company published a small book called "The Perfected American Watch." In it, the magnitude of the company's achievements is outlined. Here is an excerpt describing Waltham's place in Victorian industry and watch making: "Before the American Watch Company was founded, there was no factory in the world in which an entire watch movement was made. By the old way, the plates were fashioned in one place, the wheels in another, the dials elsewhere. These and other parts – all made by scattered and disconnected labor – were finally fitted and assembled. It was soon shown that machinery, by its precise and uniform operations, provided better watches at less cost. Furthermore, most of the machine-made parts – plates, wheels, pinions, etc. – by their uniformity were interchangeable. Dealers were thus enabled to carry materials in stock, so as to supply them readily when required. A record of the size and grade of each Waltham watch movement is kept by the company; whereby jewelers may at any time obtain duplicate parts by simply quoting the movement number – whatever the date of its manufacture. Therefore, the first grand results at Waltham were simplicity and economy of construction; exactness and durability of the watches produced; convenience and minimum expense of repairs. Waltham watches earned for Americans earned the title "Watchmakers to the World." They have always triumphed at the great international expositions where exhibited – London, Paris, Melbourne, Syndey, Philadelphia, Chicago – because they have always been the best. After nearly half a century of progressive achievements, the American Waltham Watch Company stands further ahead of all competitors in the quality and volume of its product than ever before. You do not wander into the field of doubt when you buy a Waltham watch. The dealer who sells it may go out of business, but the American Waltham Watch Company stands sponsor, guaranteeing the movement to be made of the best materials and upon the most approved principals. For any defect in material or performance under fair usage, the company holds itself responsible, not for a year nor for a decade, but always. How many other articles of merchandise are protected by such a guarantee?" Of Waltham's many specially constructed, ultra high-quality timepieces, as well as those constructed by other industry leaders such as Hamilton, Elgin, Illinois, Howard and South Bend, few can rival the sheer magnificence of the Riverside Maximus. It was, quite frankly, one of the finest timepieces ever built. Featuring lavish elements such as solid gold jewel settings and a solid gold train (gears) as well as micro-adjustments for the position of the watch in one's pocket, the temperature and isochronism – the winding down of the mainspring – the watch was a precision instrument by which others were judged. The Waltham Riverside Maximus is a triumph; as majestic and mesmeric inside the case as out. We're pleased to offer this 16 size, 23 ruby-jeweled Riverside Maximus pocket watch by the American Waltham Watch Company, featuring a fancy gold-inlaid dial; solid gold jewel settings; a solid gold train (gears) in a period Waltham presentation box, circa 1904. Its gold-filled case is correct and crisp, having been carried very little. Please take a moment to admire the piece, as it is a fine representation of horological history. We've taken the liberty of cleaning, oiling and calibrating the watch so that it keeps time as intended. If you’re looking for a truly extraordinary American pocket watch, you've found it.
 

As many of our fine buyers and repeat clients know, each day we offer a smattering of things we've picked up here and there, many fine watches and pieces of jewelry that for one reason or another we'll not be offering on our Web site – some new old stock! Take a moment to look through our eBay offerings and bypass the estate and yard sale madness for watches and outstanding pieces of Victorian and Deco jewelry –  many of which are running and pristine – that are ridiculously underpriced. Watches this week include a '20s ladies antique watch or two, '30s Deco pieces, a '40s military style wristwatch, and fine Retro stainless steel wristwatches that are representative of a style that’s becoming all the rage; as well as gold rings and vintage wire lug examples perfect for restoration. Coming up are sterling silver wristwatches and a few items dug out of the workbench drawer of a retired watchmaker or two. Don't know anything about wristwatches? Have no idea about your grandfather's railroad pocket watch? We're one of the Web's largest vintage wrist and pocket watch dealers and are delighted to answer any questions you have about the timepieces we offer or those heirlooms you're unsure of. We extend a heartfelt invitation to see our other offerings and stop by to find out what's next!  PAYMENT: PayPal payments are preferred, but we do accept credit card payments over the telephone. SHIPPING: All bidders to pay actual shipping costs. If there is a handling fee listed, that is for insurance. We are happy to combine shipping on multiple items. For items shipped within the United States, we ship either via USPS. Priority Mail with signature confirmation on items under $1000. Priority REGISTERED MAIL for items over $1000.   INTERNATIONAL buyers must email us at the end of the auction so that we may calculate shipping costs and determine the method of shipping. Lower priced items (under $250), must be sent via online TRACKABLE shipping via USPS Priority International Mail. Items over $250 must be shipped via Federal Express, because it requires a signature.   We MUST and WILL adhere to your country’s customs rules and regulations. If the item is not allowed via USPS, we must ship via Federal Express. Because of the unpredictable nature of today's mail, we cannot be held responsible for items lost or damaged by the post office or lost or held up in customs agencies and so require postal insurance for ALL overseas items. WE WILL NOT FALSIFY CUSTOMS FORMS. ALL CUSTOMS FEES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER. Your purchase acknowledges that you understand these policies. FLORIDA RESIDENTS will be charged an additional 7% for sales tax. CONTACT US: You may reach us Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST)  with any questions you may have. TERMS OF SALE: We take great pride in our images and item descriptions and are careful to note as much about an item as we can. We do not sell auction items on approval; therefore, all items we sell on eBay are sold AS IS and all sales are final. If you have a question or would like to see the image of an item at another angle, we are happy to accommodate you. Please check our feedback; we try to be as accommodating as possible. WE WILL NOT GIVE PARTIAL REFUNDS!!!!! Strickland Vintage Watches is a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, have been honored as one of Forbes magazine's "Best of the Web" in timepieces, and have been on eBay since 1998. We invite you to find out more about us by clicking on our ME page!