Brooklyn Watch Case Co.
Granger

Note: Case manufacturers modified markings over time. As a result, the image above is simply a representation of one particular marking used by the company. Your case marking may differ based on the production era and other parameters.

Granger

The "Granger" case manufactured by the Brooklyn Watch Case Company is often misidentified as a gold-filled case due to the "grade" marking that typically suggests a case is not solid gold.

However, the "Granger" cases were advertised as solid gold cases, similar to the "Wheat" grade offered by the same company. These cases carry a grade name because the mixed gold content prevented the company from marking the cases "14K."

This is clearly expressed in an advertisement included in the 1890 Otto Young & Co. catalog:

"Gents' 18 Size Solid Gold Hunting and Open Face Stem-Wind Cases. The "Granger" Gold Case (Stamped B.W.C.Co.) is made of two plates of Solid Gold, soldered together. The outer, or wearing surface, being 14k fine; the inside plate is of a lower quality. This makes a practical and excellent wearing case."

The company saw this unique "double stock" construction as a viable way to offer a solid gold case at lower prices than competitors while still maintaining the appearance of a 14K case. In the 1890 Otto Young & Co. catalog, the "Granger" cases were offered at $30.50-35.50. This contrasts the solid 14K cases in the same catalog, ranging from $50.58 to $82.14.

The December 1889 issue of the Jewelers' Circular also described the "Granger" case as being constructed using the same method as the company's "Wheat" cases that were 14K/8K solid gold:

"The success of the Brooklyn Watch Case Co's. "Granger" case has been so pronounced that, in the comparitaviely short time since its introduction - slightly over a year - it has became one of the most popular cases on the market. As is customary, when any product has proved successful, imitations of this case, inferior in quality and finish, have appeared. To protect the trade, the Brooklyn Company announce that all these cases which are made in 18, 16, 6, and 0 sizes are stamped with their trade mark - the deer complete in ladies cases, and the deer's head and antlers on gentlemen's cases - and are accompanied by a copy of their certificate, a facsimile of which is given in their advertisements on page 8. The popularity of the "Granger" case is not surprising when we consider its merit. It is of double stock, made in the same method as the company's celebrated wheat cases the wearing surface being 14k. gold, the inner layer being of a lower grade of gold. This gives the case the appearance that a fine case has, while the layers being of sufficient thickness, it possesses the solidity and resistance of wear of the filled cases. The price of this gold case is almost the same as that of the filled cases. The engraving of these cases are varied and attractive and numerous new styles have just been introduced. A good business. is being done in them as in also the well-known "Eagle" and "Wheat" cases."

Database ID:	PWDB-68
Case Grade:	Granger
Material:	Gold
Gold Content:	14K/LOWER
Introduced:	1888
Note:	Listed as "Granger No. 1." Double Stock: 14K Outer and "Lower Quality" Inner
Trademark:	15522
Trademark Issued:	May 29, 1888
In Use Since:	February 20, 1888
Marking Variants: (Not Intended to be Comprehensive)
Original Papers:
Original Advertisements:	Description of "Granger" Case by Brooklyn Watch Case Co. Source: 1890 Otto Young & Co. Catalog Description of "Granger" Case Source: Jewelers' Circular: December 1889
Catalog Sources:	1877DFC 1878CYC 1880GHR 1880JAB 1880NHW 1882SFM 1883GHR 1883UNK 1884LSS 1885OY 1886HMS 1886RA 1887BHIA 1887LAM 1888BA 1888OY 1889BAM 1889EVR 1890AP 1890BA 1890CHK 1890JC05 1890OY 1890SFM 1891RR 1891SAC 1892ACR 1892BAC 1892CPS 1892WES 1893BFNA 1893BHIA 1893MCE 1893SAC 1894BA 1894BATM 1894NRC 1895OY 1895SFM 1896MF 1896OY 1897BB 1898MLMF 1899ACB 1899BHIA 1899SAC 1900BA 1900BHIA 1900LMC 1900NHW 1901BAC 1901OY 1902ACB 1902BATM 1902BB 1902MF 1903ACB 1903BAC 1903FDW 1903N76 1903ON 1904ACB 1904BA 1904LB 1904PWC 1905ACB 1905BAC 1905DH 1905FNCS 1905ON 1906ON 1906SRC 1907ACB 1907JVF 1907NAC 1907NBC 1907OY 1907SFM 1908ACB 1909BAC 1910ACB 1911NG 1911OY 1911WJJ 1912COC 1912HA 1912NG 1912SFM 1912WJJ 1913FDW 1914ELD 1915ACB 1915ON 1915PWE 1916LCM 1917BA 1923CBN 1923ON 1925ASJ 1925CPS 1928ON 1932ON 1942WAG