Waltham Creation Incabloc 17 Jewels
Dress Watch · Waltham Watch Company, historical American brand with Swiss manufacturing operations during this period, mid-range tier
Period: Mid-Century (1950s-1960s)
Type
Dress Watch
Brand
Waltham Watch Company, historical American brand with Swiss manufacturing operations during this period, mid-range tier
Movement
Manual wind mechanical movement, 17 jewels, featuring an Incabloc shock protection system
Dimensions
Case diameter approximately 34mm, thickness 9mm, lug-to-lug 41mm, lug width 18mm
Description
This charming vintage Waltham Creation dress watch captures the quintessential mid-century aesthetic with its clean silver dial, dramatic arrow and Arabic hour markers, and classic round gold-toned case. Powered by a reliable 17-jewel Swiss mechanical movement equipped with Incabloc shock protection, it represents an accessible slice of mid-century horological history from a storied name in American watchmaking.
Key Features
Distinctive 'W' logo with 'Creation' cursive script at 12 o'clock, Incabloc shock protection labeling, and sharp applied wedge hour markers typical of 1950s modernist design
Dial Description
Silver sunburst dial featuring applied gold-toned dagger hour markers, Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, dauphine hands, and printed minute track with Swiss Made flanking the 6 o'clock position
Case Material
Yellow gold-plated or gold-filled base metal with a polished finish
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic or plexiglass crystal
Bezel Details
Fixed polished smooth round bezel integrated into the case design
Crown & Pushers
Unsigned small fluted push-pull crown located at the 3 o'clock position
Bracelet or Strap
Black leather strap with a crocodile grain texture and a yellow gold-toned pin buckle
Caseback Details
Snap-on stainless steel or base metal caseback, likely bearing manufacturing or metal content hallmarks
Movement Type
Manual wind mechanical movement, 17 jewels, featuring an Incabloc shock protection system
Water Resistance
None to minimal splash resistance; vintage watch not suitable for swimming, showering, or any water exposure
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made, produced during the era when Waltham outsourced much of its traditional production to Switzerland utilizing Swiss ebauches
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s-1960s
Cultural Significance
Reflects the post-WWII golden age of affordable Swiss-made mechanical dress watches that brought stylish horology to the everyday consumer
Condition Notes
Fair to good vintage condition with minor surface wear on the gold-plated case, light patination on the dial, and a clear acrylic crystal showing minor hairline scuffs
Value Estimate
Estimated market value between 100 to 300 USD depending on exact internal movement condition and presence of original box or papers
Care & Maintenance
Avoid exposure to water and moisture due to vintage seals, wind gently daily at approximately the same time, store in a cool dry place, and service every 5 to 7 years if worn regularly
Similar Watches
Vintage Omega Seamaster, Bulova Accutron or vintage dress models, and Tissot vintage manual wind watches of the same era
Interesting Facts
The Waltham Watch Company was originally one of the pioneering American watch manufacturers, revolutionizing mass production before eventually shifting its operations heavily toward Swiss-made movements and imports in the mid-20th century
Notes
I can also send a digital photo of the rear cover (this app apparently does not allow two photos at a time). The face has a W and below that the word Creation in cursive at the 12 o'clock and INCABLOC 17 jewels above the 6 o'clock, and SWISS MADE (each word on either side of the 6 marker)