Waltham · 19 jewels · 16s
Waltham made the Riverside in more sizes and models than any other grade, from an 8-size ladies' movement in 1873 to tiny wristwatch movements, and the company called it perhaps the most famous of all its movements. Its own booklet pitched it as the sensible choice, a watch you could take into the woods for a month and still catch your train by on the way back. In 16 size it arrived with Waltham's new thin Model 1899 around 1900. Those first ones had 17 jewels and three-position adjustment. By 1911 the 16-size Riverside had 19 jewels and was tested for temperature, isochronism and five positions, and Waltham listed it with its railroad watches. Collector Jerry Treiman calls the Riverside Waltham's standard-bearer, and the variety makes it a good grade to collect. It's a fine first high-grade Waltham if you don't need a railroad-standard lever-set watch.
The grade
In 16 size the Riverside sat under the Riverside Maximus and the Vanguard. The first Model 1899 Riversides had 17 jewels and three-position adjustment, and by 1911 the 16-size Riverside was a 19-jewel, five-position movement that Waltham listed among its railroad watches. Much later, from the late 1930s, Waltham sold a 21-jewel Riverside No. 1621 that was adjusted only to temperature and wasn't accepted for railroad service. The jewel count and adjustment line on the plate tell you which one you have.
A pendant-set Riverside wasn't built for railroad inspection, so a railroad claim on one deserves a closer look. Expect worn gold-filled cases and hairlines or replacements on the enamel dials of watches this old.
Buying guide
We'd buy the Riverside titled 19 jewels and running in a 10K rolled gold Victory case at $300 delivered, well under the $420–750 most of the about 20 for sale ask delivered. Read Riverside and 19 Jewels off the plate and check the adjustment line, since one marked only Adjusted to Temperature is the later No. 1621. Most are pendant set, so a railroad-grade title is the seller's claim unless it sets with a lever, and 14K gold filled is only a gold layer over base metal, while the solid-gold ones ask $4,099 and up. eBay's cards here don't show seller feedback, so check it on the item page.
$200.00delivered
The lowest fixed-price Riverside at $200 delivered, titled 19 jewels, railroad grade and running. Ask whether it sets with a lever, since a pendant-set Riverside wasn't built for railroad inspection, and budget for a service.
Waltham Riverside 1899 19 J Railroad Grade 16S Pocket watch Running
$299.95delivered
Titled 19 jewels and running in a 10K rolled gold Victory case, about $120 under the bottom of the band. Running is the seller's word, so plan on a cleaning before daily use.
WALTHAM RIVERSIDE 16s 19j 10k RGP VICTORY CASE, 17097301 POCKET WATCH, RUNS (OI)
$654.99est. delivered
Titled serviced, in a gold-filled case, at $655 delivered inside the band. Ask what the service covered and when it was done.
Antique 1901 Waltham 19 Jewels GF RIVERSIDE 16s Pocket Watch Serviced
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$200.00delivered
$200.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$200.00
Good buy
Titled railroad grade and running. Ask whether it's lever set.
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Used$299.95delivered
$299.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$299.95
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Good buy
10K rolled gold Victory case, titled runs.
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Serviced$654.99est. delivered
$649.00 + $5.99 shipping
Buy It Now$649.00
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Good buy
Titled serviced, gold-filled case.
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Used$508.60est. delivered
$499.95 + $8.65 shipping
Buy It Now$499.95
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Our take
Titled 1906, Model 1899, runs. Case metal not stated.
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Used$620.94est. delivered
$612.95 + $7.99 shipping
Buy It Now$612.95
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Our take
Titled 1908, gold filled. Not titled running.
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Used$808.80est. delivered
$800.00 + $8.80 shipping
Buy It Now$800.00
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Our take
14K gold filled, so a gold layer over base metal. About $60 over the band.
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Used$4,099.00delivered
$4,099.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$4,099.00
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Our take
Solid 14K hunting case, so the gold sets the price. The military provenance is the seller's claim.
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Used$20,010.50est. delivered
$19,999.00 + $11.50 shipping
Buy It Now$19,999.00
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Priced high
Solid 14K, but about five times the other gold Riversides.
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