Pocket Watch Database

Bates & Bacon

Attleboro, Mass

Bates & Bacon Image

Initial Marking: B&B

Location: Attleboro, Mass

Years of Operation: 1867-1901

Successor: Philadelphia Watch Case Co.

Began to manufacture watch cases in 1882. Sold to Philadelphia Watch Case Co. in 1901.

Identification: Bates & Bacon cases are easily identified by the "B&B" marking. The company applied case marks in an extremely simplified form, most appearing as standard text in a stacked layout. Most cases are also marked with the grade and year gurantee. Those marked without a guarantee as assumed to be manufactured prior to 1898, when the duration was increased for most of the case grades. The Philadelphia Watch Case Company maintained production and sales of the "B&B" trade names after purchasing the case business in 1901.

Collectibility: Bates & Bacon cases were one of the most popular gold-filled cases sold around the turn of the century. These cases are very common to find paired with movements produced during this era. The "Royal" 20-Year grade is the most common case produced by the factory. Early grades like the Gem are more uncommon to find and are slightly more collectible.

Bates & Bacon was organized by George Bacon and Joseph M. Bates in 1867 to specialize in the manufacturing of rolled gold-plated bracelets and jewelry.

The company began manufacturing watch cases in 1882 by introducing a snap-bezel patented design to the market. In 1884, following some market success, the company constructed a factory in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

In 1888, fifteen engravers and designers decided to go on strike. Teh copmany quickly filled the vacancies and carried on with production.

In 1891, the factory in Attleboro was extended to create more room and to provide additional support for the main factory building.

In 1892, The Jewelers' Circular reported that Bates & Bacon were producing 200 cases per day.

In 1893, the company built a new factory on Union Street in Attleboro, adjacent to the rear of the original factory. During the economic downturn in 1893, the company continued to report growth and difficulty fulfilling orders.

In 1894, the company introduced the popular "Royal" 14K gold-filled case. At this time, the "Gem" grade was dropped from advertisements. The following year, The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review stated that Royal was the "most popular gold filled case on the market."

By 1896, the "Peer" grade was dropped from advertisements, leaving the Royal (14K/15YR], Favorite [14K/20YR], and the Puritan [14K/5YR].

In February 1898, the company announced the guarantees for the cases offered were being increased. The "Favorite" was increased to 25 years, the "Royal" was increased to 20 years, and the "Puritan" was maintained at 5 years.

On May 18, 1898, a large part of the city of Attleboro was destroyed by fire, including the factory of Bates & Bacon. According to reports, the fire started in the shop of John T. Inman & Co. at the Bates & Bacon factory on Mill Street. The factory, including the machinery and inventory, was compeltely destroyed with an estimated loss of $200,000.

The company immediately made plans to built a new factory on County Street, and this construction was compelted an a rapid pace. In the meantime, Mr. Bates made an offer to purchase the Ladd Watch Case Company factory in Providence, Rhode Island.

By the fall of 1898, the new factory was operational with new modern equipment. This new factory was temporary, and in June 1899, The Jewelers' Circular reported that the company was busy panning a new factory that could facilitate 3,000 workers.

In 1899, the company began advertising the "Regal" case, guaranteed for a duration of 10 years.

In January 1901, the case business was acquired by the Philadelphia Watch Case Company. In a letter published in The Jewelers' Circular-Weekly, the Philadelphia Watch Case Company referenced the current grades of the company: Favorite (25 Years), Royal (20 Years), Regal (10 Years), and Puritan (5 Years). The company continued to sell cases under these "B&B" trade names for many years even though many catalogs listed them under the Philadelphia Watch Case Company brand.

After the company was sold, rumors circulated that Joseph M. Bates was interested in organizing a company to manufacture solid gold cases. Instead, he purchased the business of G.A. Dean Co. and produced jewelry for a short period of time before assuming the old name of "Bates & Bacon" again in 1902. This company specialized in a general line of watch cahins and bracelets, distinct from the watch case business that had been sold to the Philadelphia Watch Case Company.

Mr. Bates died in 1905. Joseph's son, Charles, took charge of the factory following his father's death.

Case Grades

Note: This chart is not intended to be a comprehensive list of grades. Some grades changed traits over time and other grades may not be listed. This chart will be improved as additional information is studied.

Image Name Case Material Gold Content Gurantee Source Catalogs Trademarked
B&B Gold-Filled 25-Year 1887LAM, 1890AP, 1890CHK Sep 17, 1907
Favorite 14K/20YR Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1887LAM, 1890AP, 1890OY, 1890CHK, 1892BAC, 1893SAC, 1893BHIA, 1893BFNA, 1895OY, 1896OY, 1897BB Aug 15, 1905
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Favorite 14K/25YR: Favorite 14K/25YR Gold-Filled 14K 25-Year 1899ACB, 1900LMC, 1902BB, 1902ACB, 1903FDW, 1923CBN, 1923ON Aug 15, 1905
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Gem: Gem Gold-Filled 15-Year 1887LAM, 1887BHIA, 1888OY, 1888BA, 1890AP, 1890OY, 1890BA
Orient Rolled Gold Plate 1890AP
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Peer: Warranted B&B Peer 20 Years Peer Gold-Filled 10K 20-Year 1915ACB Sep 15, 1914
Peer Gold-Filled 10K 15-Year 1890AP, 1890CHK, 1892BAC, 1893BHIA, 1895OY, 1897BB Sep 15, 1914
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Puritan: B&B Puritan Rolled Gold Plate 10K 5-Years 1893BHIA, 1893BFNA, 1895OY, 1896OY, 1897BB, 1900NHW Jun 9, 1896
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Puritan: B&B Puritan Gold-Filled 14K 5-Years 1899ACB, 1899SAC, 1900LMC, 1901OY, 1902ACB Jun 9, 1896
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Regal: Regal B&B Regal Gold-Filled 14K 10-Year 1899ACB, 1899SAC, 1900LMC, 1900NHW, 1901OY, 1903N76, 1903ACB, 1904ACB, 1904LB, 1905FNCS, 1925ASJ Aug 15, 1905
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Regal: Regal B&B Regal Gold-Filled 10K 10-Year 1902ACB, 1902BB, 1903FDW Aug 15, 1905
Royal 10K/20YR Gold-Filled 10K 20-Year 1902ACB, 1902BB, 1903ON, 1903BAC, 1903N76, 1903ACB, 1903FDW, 1904ACB, 1905ACB, 1905FNCS, 1905BAC, 1905ON, 1906ON
Royal 14K/15YR Gold-Filled 14K 15-Year 1896OY, 1897BB
Watch Case Marking for Bates & Bacon Royal 14K/20YR: Warranted B&B Royal 20 Years Royal 14K/20YR Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1899BHIA, 1899ACB, 1899SAC, 1900LMC, 1900NHW, 1901OY, 1902MF, 1904BA, 1904LB, 1905FNCS, 1907NAC, 1914ELD, 1915ACB, 1915ON, 1916LCM, 1917BA, 1923CBN, 1923ON, 1928ON

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks