First off, yeah, if you’re lookin’ at a Waltham and it *doesn’t* say “Waltham” on it somewhere (usually on the dial or the movement), that’s a big ol’ red flag. Like, MAJOR red flag. Now, I saw somewhere that there *are* some exceptions – private labels, they call ’em. But seriously, those are rare as hen’s teeth. Don’t bank on findin’ one.
I mean, think about it. Waltham was a *big* deal. They weren’t shy about puttin’ their name on their stuff. Why *wouldn’t* they? So, if you find one that’s all secretive, keep your hand on yer wallet.
Now, I saw someone mention somethin’ about early Swiss fakes. This is where it gets tricky. Back in the day, some Swiss companies… well, let’s just say they weren’t always on the up-and-up. They’d slap a Waltham-ish name on a watch, and hope nobody noticed the difference. And sometimes, they were pretty darn good at it!
What to look for? Well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Serial numbers are key. A real Waltham will have a serial number, and you can (usually) look it up to find out when it was made and what grade it is. But here’s the thing: Fakers have gotten wise to this. They might put a fake serial number on there too!
Also, I’ve seen it said that “W” or “Waltham” logos are common on genuine pieces. But I also know a guy who got burned because he thought the “W” meant it was real. Turns out, the faker was *really* good. So don’t just rely on the logo!
Honestly, if you’re not a seasoned collector, it’s best to get a professional opinion. Find a reputable watchmaker or appraiser who knows their stuff. It might cost you a few bucks, but it’s better than gettin’ stuck with a dud. I mean, nobody wants to pay a fortune for a watch that’s worth, like, twenty bucks, right?
And speaking of money, don’t assume that just because a watch looks old, it’s valuable. I read about someone who found a Waltham pocket watch, but the movement wasn’t anything special. Value really depends on the grade of the movement, whether the case is solid gold (and THAT’S a whole other can of worms to figure out!), and its overall condition.
