- 1850
- 1854
- 1863
- 1870
- 1900
- 1909
- 1911
- 1915
- 1916
- 1924
- 1927
- 1928
- 1941
- 1947
- 1950
- 1954
- 1967
- 1981
- 2000
- 2011
- 2014
- 2016
1850 - First industrial mechanical watch and clock manufacture
In Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA, inspired by Aaron Lufkin Dennison, a visionary genius, the first industrial mechanical watch and clock manufacturer in the world is founded. For the first time, clocks and watches are not produced piece-by-piece but rather, thanks to interchangeable parts and patented automated watchmaking machines, they are produced in series.
1854 - The company moves to Waltham
The company moves to Waltham, the town that will give the company its name, and opens a model factory where it employs over 3,000 people at the height of its productivity: over 40 million timepieces are produced, made the Waltham company the world's leading producer of clocks and watches. The modern American system of watch and clock manufacturing is not the only technique developed in Waltham; it also boasts the forerunner of the “assembly line”.
1863 - Abraham Lincoln is presented the first industrialized pocket watch, the Waltham 1857
United States President, Abraham Lincoln, becomes one of the first proud owners of the Waltham model Serial Number 67613, the first industrialized pocket watch. Currently part of a collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, this watch was presented to the President to celebrate the Gettysburg Address and the historical achievement: the abolition of slavery.
1870 - The first Waltham Railroad Watches are manufactured:
The first Waltham Railroad Pocket Watches are manufactured and selected by railroad companies in 52 Countries across the five continents, which adopted the Vanguard Model in 1907. This is the first watch to incorporate the "up and down" power reserve indicator on the dial, a Waltham patent. During the golden age of railroads, there were more Waltham watches in circulation around the world than all other brands put together.
1900 - Waltham builds its own astronomical observatory
The new century begins and Waltham is in search of the highest possible precision for its clocks and watches. Manufacturers at that time had to turn to astronomical observatories in order to certify the precision of their clockwork. Waltham - the first and only manufacturer in the world - decides to build its own astronomical observatory to ensure the quality of its vast industrial production.
1909 - Sir Ernest Shackleton and Robert Peary trek to the Poles with a Waltham in their pockets
Waltham timepieces accompanied exploration expeditions and courageous endeavors. In January, the Anglo-Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton treks towards the center of the South Pole, pushing himself further south than anyone had gone before. In April, the American explorer Robert Peary is the first man to reach the geographic North Pole. With them, was a Waltham: the only pocket watch that could withstand such extreme conditions while maintaining excellent performance.
1911 - Waltham Model 1910 are chosen to equip US, Canadian and British military and civilian ships
The Marine Chronometers Waltham Model 1910, featuring an 8-day power reserve, are chosen by the United States, Canadian and British governments for all military and civilian ships. No other factory is equipped to manufacture such high-performance chronometers in such large quantities.
1915 - Waltham manufactures the first wristwatches for the American armed forces
With the onset of the First World War, Waltham manufactures the first wristwatches for the American armed forces: more practical than pocket watches, they are made even more resistant by the addition of a metal cage that protects the case. Nevertheless, the WWI is also an opportunity to experiment with flight: the rudimentary military aircraft are fitted with a Waltham XA Type 37 Model aeronautical clock.
1916 - Waltham begins production of clocks and speedometers for automobiles
Waltham begins production of clocks and speedometers for automobiles. Precise and reliable, they were supplied to Ford, Lincoln, Renault, Cadillac, and even Rolls Royce. In the forefront of this sector too, Waltham and world-renowned scientist Nikola Tesla patent the first Air Friction Speedometer, the most precise automobile instrument capable of measuring speed, distance and time.
1924 - Waltham manufactures a grandfather clock for Henry Ford
Henry Ford commissions Waltham to build a Grandfather clock that adorned his office until his death in 1947, after which it was donated to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn (Michigan). Henry Ford, during a visit, is inspired to develop the automated production line for the legendary Model T revolutionizing, just as Dennison had for watchmaking, the manufacturing process for automobiles.
1927 - Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis is equipped with a Waltham to mark the first non-stop transatlantic flight
Charles Lindbergh, an unknown US Air Mail pilot, has the instrument panel on board his “Spirit of St Louis” modified in order to fit a Waltham XA Type 37 aeronautical clock. Lindbergh boards his plane in New York on May 19 and lands 33 hours later in Paris, marking the first non-stop transatlantic flight.
1928 - Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s plane completes the first non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean, with a Waltham aeronautical clock
Australian aviation pioneer Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, leaves Oakland, California, to land in Brisbane, Australia, completing the first non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean. The aeronautical clock in his tri-motor aircraft, the Southern Cross is a Waltham XA Type 37.
1941 - Waltham’s precision and reliability is applied to the most emblematic military aircrafts of the time
During the Second World War, Waltham experience in the aviation sector brings it on board the most emblematic aircraft of the time. These include the F6F Hellcat, with over 12,000 units built from 1943 to 1945 and fitted with the CDIA Model; the B24 Liberator bomber, the most widely produced military aircraft in history; and the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter plane, used until the 1980s.
1947 - Waltham Type A11 is the first wristwatch to become standard military issue for all the American armed forces
Waltham manufactures the Type A11 Navigational Watch. This wristwatch is the first to become standard military issue for all the American armed forces: in a waterproof version for the navy, and a dustproof version for all the other services.
1950 - Waltham develops the Type A17 Pilot Watch and the wrist compass for the US Air Force and Navy
In response to military requirements and in collaboration with the armed forces, in the 1950s Waltham develops the Type A17 Pilot Watch and the wrist compass, standard issue equipment for the US Air Force and Navy.
1954 - Waltham establishes Waltham SA in Switzerland
After more than 100 years in the United States, Waltham establishes Waltham SA in Switzerland, the new pulsing center of global watchmaking, where the Swiss Made brand begins production.
1967 - The legendary jet fighters F4 Phantoms are equipped with a Waltham Type A-13a
The F4 Phantoms are legends of the US Navy, setting new records in altitude and speed. They are therefore chosen by the equally legendary Top Gun Fighter Weapons School to train the best pilots in the US Air Force. Their control panels boast a Waltham Type A-13a, the official aeronautical clock of the US Department of Defense during the Cold War, also fitted on board all American military aircraft ranging from U-2s to the C-130 Hercules.
1981 - Waltham is purchased by the Japanese company Heiwado & Co
After entering the Asian market at the end of the 1970s with the Vacuum Model, the innovative mechanical wristwatch that works in the absence of atmosphere, Waltham is purchased by the Japanese company, Heiwado & Co. and quickly becomes the most popular brand in Japan.
2000 - Waltham manufactures the Radiant2000, decorated with over 150 carats of diamonds
The success on the Asian market is celebrated with the incredible Radiant 2000, a model decorated with over 150 carats of diamonds and considered the most expensive wrist watch of the time.
2011 - Antonio DiBenedetto acquires the majority shares of Waltham International SA
The majority shares of Waltham International SA are purchased by the American entrepreneur Antonio DiBenedetto who creates new high-tech wristwatches able to instill today's men with the courage to choose and dare to follow their convictions. The same courage that drove the extraordinary men who, with a Waltham, were key figures in the greatest achievements of the past 160 years.
2014 - Waltham Watch Company SA is established and introduces its first aero-naval high-end mechanical
Waltham Watch Company SA is established and introduces its first aero-naval high-end mechanical self-winding wristwatch collection. Inspired by the innovative models of the past, these daring state-of-the-art wristwatches, with sharp lines, and intriguing bold angular design, create new icons of contemporary luxury.
2016 - Waltham Watch Company SA presents the new WALTHAM AeroNaval AN-01
Waltham Watch Company SA presents a brand-new exclusive timepiece: the new WALTHAM AeroNaval AN-01. This automatic wristwatch introduces a new 43mm case size in 316L Stainless Steel to the innovative Aeronaval Collection.