Pocket Watch Database

Dueber Watch Case Mfg. Co. Dueber Anchor
Watch Case Marking for Dueber Watch Case Mfg. Co. Dueber Anchor: [Anchor]
[Snake Around Anchor]

Image Provided by Jones & Horan


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.

Dueber Anchor

There was some confusion in terminology when Dueber first introduced their "rolled gold plate" case in 1883. This appears to be an intended differentiation between their new case and similar gold-filled cases on the market at the time. The company believed their new case was of better quality due to the solid gold case center.

In the September 1883 issue of the Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review, news of the new gold-filled case was reported with an important note about the "plated" term:

"The Dueber Watch Case Company has at last brought out, what they have long contemplated doing, a new style of case which they denominate a "plated" case, in contradistinction to the term "filled" case, as applied to cases nearly similar in construction. The Dueber Company announces that their new case is "plated," but guarantee that the center, pendants, bow and crown are solid gold, and that they contain more gold than is to be found in cases of the same grade of other manufacture. These goods are highly commended by dealers who have handled them, and, as they are sold at a reduced price, there is likely to be a demand for them."

(At the time, Dueber was having difficulty rolling gold plates without marring the surface and was especially troubled by his failed attempts to manufacture the case center using this process).

Confusion in the trade over the terminology ensued, exhibited by several Dueber advertisements publishing customer testimonials that used the terms "rolled gold plate" and "gold filled" synonymously.

Based on the terminology submitted in relevant patent documentation, the company used the term "rolled gold plate" when referring to "sheet-brass, gold-plated on one side."

The next year, in March 1884, the company reintroduced this case using the "gold-filled" classification after perfecting and patenting the process to create the case center out of the same composition material (and following some corporate espionage at Hagstoz & Thorpe). At that point, the bow joints, joint plugs, and thumb pieces were still advertised as solid gold.

So, the early cases (Late 1883-early 1884) marked with this particular anchor mark were considered "rolled gold plate" and would have featured a solid gold case center. After March 1884, these became closer to the standard "gold-filled" cases.

The 1884 L.S. Stowe & Co. price list offered this original "rolled plate" case with the solid gold center using the title, "Dueber's Rolled Pate Watch Cases." The case is further described as featuring: solid gold centre, solid gold pendant bow, solid gold joints, solid gold pendant, solid gold thumb catches, and solid gold joint flags. No year gurantee was given in the price list.

Database ID:PWDB-305
Case Grade:Dueber Anchor
Material:Gold-Filled
Gold Content:14K
Guarantee:20-Year
Introduced:1883
Note:Original Watchpapers Indicate 14K/20YR.
Trademark:10377
Trademark Issued:Jun 26, 1883
In Use Since:May 19, 1883
Original Papers:


Image Provided by Jones & Horan



Image Provided by Jones & Horan



Image Provided by Jones & Horan


Original Advertisements:

Dueber Watch Case Ad

Source: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' Monthly Journal, April 1888

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 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
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3 Admirations
Serial No.: #107193
Manufacturer:Rockford
Grade:Unknown
Size:18s
Model:2
Jewels:11j
Setting:Key
Finish:Nickel
Est. Date:1881
Case Model:Dueber Anchor
Case Material:Coinsilver
Case Serial:373837
Added By:MARTIN500 Profile Image MARTIN500
3 Admirations
Serial No.: #33319
Manufacturer:Aurora Watch Co.
Grade:
Size:18s
Model:
Jewels:15j
Setting:Lever
Finish:Gilt
Est. Date:1885
Case Model:Dueber Anchor
Case Material:Goldfilled
Gold Karat:14
Guarantee:20
Case Serial:1256257
Added By:nicnic Profile Image nicnic
2 Admirations
Serial No.: #134896
Manufacturer:Rockford
Grade:Unknown
Size:18s
Model:3
Jewels:11j
Setting:Key
Finish:Gilt
Est. Date:1881
Case Model:Dueber Anchor
Case Material:Goldfilled
Gold Karat:14
Guarantee:20
Case Serial:1464268
Added By:SteveO1 Profile Image SteveO1