Pocket Watch Database

Duhme & Co.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Duhme & Co. Image Duhme & Co. Image

Initial Marking: D&Co.

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Years of Operation: 1871-1895

Predecessor: Frank Doll

Duhme & Co. was established in 1844. Crossman reported that case production began in 1871. This is supported by a local newspaper article published in 1874 detailing the Duhme & Co. case making operation.

Identification: Some cases produced by Duhme & Co. are marked with the full company name. However, most are simply marked "D&Co." The embossed 14K marks have been compared and verified to be a result of the same die on cases marked "Duhme & Co." and "D&Co.," providing support for this attribution. Early cases are generally sterling or coin silver, a specialty of Duhme & Co. in the 1870s. The "D&Co." marks during this era are typically stamped in a serif style or embossed in an oval shape. Later cases are typically stamped "D&Co." in an arched layout. There are exceptions to these practices. On hunting cases, the markings inside the front cover generally match the markings inside the back cover while the inside of the cuvette is stamped with the case material and serial number. There is currenly a large gap in known serial numbers from approximately 15,000 to approximately 70,000. This may represent planned serial blocks, as serials above 70,000 are 14K solid gold. However, it could also indicate unknown or unidentified production by the company.

Collectibility: Duhme & Co. cases are fairly collectible. The 14K solid gold cases are commonly found paired with E. Howard movements and can feature impressive engraving patterns.

The company was originally organized by Herman Duhme, Sr. After Mr. Duhme died in 1888, the business was continued by Robert H. Galbreath, Frank Duhme, and Charles H. Duhme. [Crossman]

Duhme & Co. started manufacturing gold and silver cases in 1871. The following year, the company purchased the case business of Frank Doll, another case maker based in Cincinnati.

In the 1870s, Henry A. Wadsworth was employed by Duhme & Co., where he learned the art of case making. Mr. Wadsworth would eventually form the Wadsworth Watch Case Company in 1889, becoming one of the most successful watch case manufacturers in the country.

The manufacturing operation of Duhme & Co. extended beyond watch cases. In 1883, Duhme & Co. was listed in The Jewelers; Circular and Horological Review directory as "goldsmiths, silversmiths and diamond setters," located at 4th and Walnut Streets in Cincinnati.

In 1883, Duhme & Co. advertised that they had improved machinery for case making. An advertisement published in an 1884 issue of The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review claims, "by the introduction of the very finest machinery and the employment of the most compentent workmen and artisans, Duhme & Co. are now producing watch cases that, in strength, beauty and sheapness, are absolutely unsurpassed." Cases manufactured by the company after this point in time exhibit more complex shapes and engravings. The majority of later production was 14K solid gold cases instead of the sterling and coin silver cases from eralier production. Advertisements continued to promote both solid gold and silver watch cases.

1884 also marks a modification in the standard company directory listing included in issues of The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review. Instead of the general description of previous years, the company was listed as "manufacturers of gold and silver watch cases."

According to an article published in the July 1888 issue of The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review, the manufacturing of gold watch cases was operated from the upper stories of the company building located at Fourth and Walnut Streets. The case factory was described as the "second largest in the west."

In September 1888, following the death of company founder Herman Duhme, the company was reorganized under the same name by Robert H. Galbreath, Frank Duhme, and Charles H. Duhme.

In 1889, Crossman reported that the factory employed about 65 men and produce 5,000 cases per year.

In 1890, the factory had been extended and trade publications reported that the cases offered by the company were becoming very popular.

In April 1893, Duhme & Co. was reoganized and incorporated as the Duhme Co. with capital stock of $400,000.

In 1895, a notice in The Jewelers' Circular reported that E. & J. Swigart had purchase the entire material department of the Duhme Co. as they began to transition away from wholesale to exclusviely deal in retail trade. According to another article published in 1897, it appears the Queen City Watch Case Company purchased the tools from the Duhme Co. in order to manufacture gold cases.

In 1897, the company was entrenched in financial difficulties with creditors pushing for bankruptcy. The company was officially assigned on March 5, 1897.

The company was subsequently reorganized as The Duhme Mfg. Co. in 1898. No members of the Duhme family were allowed to continue during this reorganization. The Duhme Brothers went on to form The Duhme Jewelry Company.

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
Watch Case Marking for Duhme & Co. 14K: D&Co. 14K in Pointed Ribbon K14 in Gumdrop 14K Gold 14K
Watch Case Marking for Duhme & Co. 18K: D&Co. K18 in Gumdrop 18K 18K Gold 18K
Watch Case Marking for Duhme & Co. Coin Silver: D.&Co. Coin 3 Coin Silver Coin Silver
Watch Case Marking for Duhme & Co. Sterling: D&Co. 3 Sterling 925/1000 Sterling Silver