American Waltham Watch Co., A gold openface watch with rock crystal plate movement, no. 17, model 1872, circa 1885

14k, 14 size, crystal plates with jeweled settings revealing damascened pillar plates, lever escapement, 17 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, Breguet hairspring, micrometer regulator, white enamel dial, arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds, polished with glazed display back, dial and movement signed, accompanied by a copy of Hoke, The Time Museum Catalogue of American Pocket Watches. 

Time Museum Inventory No. 233

The rock crystal plate movements were made during the late 1880's and early 1890's by William R. Willis, foreman of the jewel department at the Waltham Watch Company.  According to an account about rock crystal plate watches, it is said that Mr. Willis returned from a Mexican vacation with a large quantity of agate and rock crystal.  It is thought that he made approximately 200 stone movements, primarily in 6 size, with crystal back plates only.

For a discussion of Waltham Watches with rock crystal plate movements see Harrold, "American Watchmaking", in the NAWCC Bulletin Supplement.

For similar examples see Sotheby's New York, The Warren D. Bundens Collection of Watches and Clocks, June 21, 1988, lots 31 and 32.