American yellow gold watch with up and down indication Circa 1908

Gold open faced watch by Waltham Watch Company
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An American 18 carat yellow gold open faced Premier Maximus watch, with up and down indication, circa 1908. This watch has a mechanical movement with 23 jewels and a lever escapement. It features a signed white enamel dial with radial Arabic hours, a sunk centre, an outer minute track, a subsidiary dial for the seconds, a power reserve (up and down) indicator, and blued steel hands. The case is made of 18 carat yellow gold with an inscribed cuvette. The case, dial, and movement are all signed.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: Waltham Premier Maximus
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The case has visible surface scuffing throughout, consistent with age. The inside case back bears watchmaker marks. The case back features a minor indentation. The bottom includes a case band with a dent on either side of the hinge. The hinges remain nice and tight. The white enamel dial is intact and free of any imperfections. The rims on the dial are slightly dirty. The movement is running.
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Waltham Watch Company marketed their first Premier Maximus in 1908, starting with No. 17,000,000. It was described as the most expensive watch made by Waltham, and their highest quality. At least three series are known: the first, launched in 1908, had a run of approximately 200 pieces; the second, manufactured in the 1920s, had a run of roughly 1,000 pieces; and possibly a third series that may include 200 examples.
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The 1923 brochure produced by Waltham, containing their line and retail prices, indicates that the ‘Premier Maximus’ watch originally sold for $500. This line of Waltham watches was lauded as superior timekeepers and received the certified seal of accuracy from the Kew Observatory.
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This watch no. 17000005 appears to be the fifth watch made in this exclusive series.