Waltham · 21 jewels · 16s · 1890s into the 1910s
Waltham registered the Maximus name in 1896 and saved it for the best movements it made. Its 1901 catalog calls the 16-size Riverside Maximus the finest pocket timepiece it's possible to make, and the spec backs that up. It has 21 diamond and ruby jewels, two pairs of diamond caps, both balance pivots running on diamonds, raised gold settings, a gold train and adjustment to temperature, isochronism and five positions. That catalog prices it only in 14k and 18k gold cases. By 1911 Waltham had raised it to 23 jewels, and the new Premier Maximus was the only movement it ranked higher. The grade came in 16, 12 and Colonial sizes plus small ladies' sizes, and the 16-size ones were built on the Model 1888 and Model 1899 frames. One early Model 1888 group adds up to only about 900 movements in the Gray Book data, so expect to wait for a good one.
The grade
Riverside Maximus was the top of the Riverside family and for years Waltham's best 16-size movement. The 1901 catalog lists it with 21 jewels and two pairs of diamond caps, and by 1911 the 16-size version had 23 jewels. After that only the Premier Maximus ranked above it. Confirm Riverside Maximus on the plate, since a plain Riverside is a different, far more common grade.
Gold cases from this era were often scrapped for metal, so many of these movements now sit in later replacement cases. A cracked enamel dial or a damaged cap jewel is worth asking about, since both are hard to put right on a grade this fine.
Buying guide
Only three Riverside Maximus watches are for sale, all from overseas at $948–1,373 delivered, so the band is just those asks and not a market read. We'd start with the 16-size one titled 23 jewels in a sterling silver case at $1,119 delivered from the UK, and ask for a movement photo that reads Riverside Maximus, since a plain Riverside is a far more common grade. Waltham's 1901 catalog sold this grade only in gold cases, so expect the silver one to be a later case, and the $948 one from Japan is titled junk item, which means it's sold as is. eBay's cards here don't show seller feedback, so check it and the return policy on the item page.
![[Junk item] WALTHAM Riverside Maximus pocket watch](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zbgAAeSwSHNqtwdd/s-l500.jpg)
$947.99delivered
The lowest ask at $948 delivered from Japan, but it's titled junk item, so it's sold as is. Treat it as a project and ask what's wrong before you offer.
[Junk item] WALTHAM Riverside Maximus pocket watch
$1,118.94est. delivered
Titled 16 size and 23 jewels with the case metal stated, in the middle of the three asks. Ask for a movement photo that reads Riverside Maximus and a close look at the cap jewels on the balance cock.
RARE 16 SIZE WALTHAM RIVERSIDE MAXIMUS 23 JEWELS STERLING SILVER CASE
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.
For parts$947.99delivered
$947.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$947.99
Good buy
Titled junk item, so sold as is. Ships from Japan.
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Used$1,118.94est. delivered
$1,091.81 + $27.13 shipping
Buy It Now$1,091.81
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Good buy
Titled 16 size, 23 jewels, sterling case. Ships from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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![[Super Rare] WALTHAM Riverside Maximus 23 Stones 5 Position Adjustment Fancy](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2ccAAeSwPV5qxwR~/s-l500.jpg)
Used$1,372.99delivered
$1,372.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,372.99
Our take
Fancy dial, 23 jewels and 5 positions per the title. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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