Waltham - 'American Eagle' - No reserve price - B 374 - Men - 1960-1969

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage A captivating piece of mid-century horology, this Waltham features a striking and deeply embossed American Bald Eagle dial. Celebrating classic patriotic motifs, the intricate relief work on the dial is a testament to the era's unique design language, offering collectors a distinctive and visually arresting vintage timepiece that bridges Swiss mechanical reliability with strong American heritage. Brand: Waltham Reference Number: B 374 Movement: 17-Jewel Manual Winding Dial: Gold-tone deeply embossed eagle motif with printed black serif Roman numerals, exceptionally clean with minimal patina Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-Plated Base Metal with Stainless Steel Back Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with a beautifully preserved dial and honest case wear Dial and Hands The centerpiece of this timepiece is its remarkable gold-tone dial, featuring a deeply embossed American Bald Eagle grasping an olive branch and arrows, surmounted by a scrolling "WALTHAM" banner. The three-dimensional relief is sharply defined and beautifully preserved, catching the light dynamically from every angle. The outer perimeter features a flat chapter ring with printed black serif Roman numerals and a finely detailed inner minute track. The dial remains exceptionally clean, displaying only very faint, even age-consistent patina with no significant spotting, staining, or moisture damage. Simple black painted stick hands provide excellent contrast against the elaborate gold background, presenting in great condition with minor surface aging visible under magnification. Case and Crystal The 34 mm case features a gold-plated base metal bezel with a distinctive coin-edge texture along its rim, paired with a brushed stainless steel snap-on caseback. The case exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, including moderate plating loss and brassing on the lug edges, case flanks, and bezel perimeter, consistent with decades of regular use. The original signed crown, bearing the Waltham 'W' logo, remains present and functional, showing softened edges from years of winding. The watch is fitted with a high-domed acrylic crystal that offers clear, distortion-free visibility of the intricate dial, presenting with only light, superficial surface wear that does not detract from the visual appeal. Movement Inside beats a Swiss-made Waltham 17-jewel manual winding movement. The caliber is clearly stamped with "WALTHAM WATCH Co", "UNADJUSTED SEVENTEEN", and "17 JEWELS SWISS MADE". The rhodium-plated bridges and visible gears show standard signs of age, including localized surface oxidation and minor tool marks consistent with past servicing. The inside of the caseback bears the reference B 374 alongside historical watchmaker service marks. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era, with timegrapher results indicating a deviation of +49 to +55 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a period-correct black leather strap featuring an elegant alligator-grain texture and matching black edge stitching. It is secured by a polished gold-tone pin buckle that complements the case finish, presenting in excellent, lightly worn condition with plenty of life remaining. Condition This watch is presented in good vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable standout feature, remaining incredibly crisp, clean, and visually striking. The case shows expected vintage wear, including clear plating loss and softening of the lug profiles, giving it an authentic, lived-in character. The high-domed crystal is well-preserved, and the movement is running and operational, reflecting an honest history of wear and enjoyment. Dimensions The case diameter measures 34 mm excluding the signed crown, providing a classic and traditional vintage presence on the wrist. Remarks This Waltham stands out entirely due to its incredible patriotic dial execution. The deep, sculptural embossing of the eagle motif is rarely seen preserved with such clarity in standard production models of this era, making it a highly conversational and unique addition to any vintage collection. History Waltham has a storied history deeply intertwined with the origins of American watchmaking, originally founded in Massachusetts in the mid-19th century. By the mid-20th century, the brand transitioned to utilizing reliable Swiss ebauches while maintaining its strong American identity and market presence. Timepieces like this eagle-dial model reflect that unique transatlantic era, proudly combining Swiss mechanical manufacturing with distinctly American aesthetic pride. / Second Vintage SKU: WAL-HXX-0001