Waltham Watch Co. No 836 Two-Tone Movement, Adjusted to Four Positions

Waltham’s Grade No. 836 movement easily catches the attention of collectors with its elegant two-tone finish, gilded hardware, gold jewel settings, gold inlay, and unusual factory adjustment to four positions.

It is unclear why the company introduced this grade to the market around 1910. While the 18-size Model 1883 was still being sold at full capacity, no known advertisements for the 836 have been discovered. Production was limited, with only 800 units being manufactured carrying serial numbers 18,096,701-18,097,500.

Some theories suggest that the watch was intended for the street car industry, requiring fewer positional adjustments than most standard railroads. Many “transit” watches from the era were adjusted to four positions.

The movement also features a variant of Reed’s patented whip-spring regulator, a departure from the standard Waltham production fitted with Church and Ohlson patent regulators.

The markings are also unusual for Waltham watches of this vintage. Large engravings read:

Waltham Watch Co.
Waltham, Mass.
17 Jewels
Double Roller
Adjusted to Temperature
And
Four Positions

A 16-Size Model 1908 movement with similar traits was introduced by Waltham around the same time, classified as the No. 636. It was adorned with a nickel damaskeening instead of two-tone finish, but featured the whip-spring regulator, gilded hardware, and the promintent “Double Roller” and “Adjusted to Temperature & 4 Positions” markings like the No. 836. The No. 636 was produced in a slightly higher quantity, reaching roughly 4,500 units from approximately 1910-1913.

Interestingly, an advertisement published in the Portland Sunday Telegram on April 5, 1914 appears to describe Waltham’s No. 636 movement. If true, the McKenney Jewelry Co. represents the first known retailer of the No. 636. However, the advertisement indicates it was a special limited sale, perhaps implying a liquidation inventory.

The advertisement reads:

“Waltham Watches, 16 Size, 17 Jewel. Nickel movement with double roller escapement compensating balance [breguet] hair spring adjusted to temperature and four positions. 20 year gold filled case, choice of plain, engine turn or engraved and will pass railroad inspection.”

The last line suggests the watch “will pass railroad inspection.” While some railroads permitted watches adjusted to four positions at the time, most required five positional adjustments. This claim leads to even more confusion about the purpose of the No. 836 and No. 636 watches.

In any case, these two grades represent an interesting production era for Waltham while the company continues to try to maintain its domination in the American watch industry. The No. 836 is a beautifully finished movement that would stand as an intriguing low-production curiosity in any collection.