The Peterkin Papers (1880)

Lucretia P. Hale's comic family stories follow the impractical Peterkins as they turn everyday problems into elaborate confusion. (Open Library)

Watches

Waltham watch: Mr. Peterkin leaves his Waltham watch behind because he thinks wearing it would not fit his Peter the Great costume.

Source text: He had not brought his watch. It was a Waltham watch, and he thought it would not be in character for Peter the Great to wear it. (Project Gutenberg ebook 25648)