Pocket Watch Database

Keller & Untermeyer

New York

Keller & Untermeyer Image

Initial Marking: KU,K&U

Location: New York

Years of Operation: 1870-1902

Keller & Untermeyer was organized by Alexander Keller and David Untermeyer as a wholesale jewelry company. In 1880, the company decided to being manufacturing gold watch cases. [Crossman]

Identification: Most cases manufactured by Keller & Untermeyer are easily identified by the "K" inside a "U." Some cases were additionally marked with the illustration of a unicorn. Some cases are marked "K & U Mfg. Co." Many of the designs were patented, and some cases are marked with the patent dates accompanying the standard case marks. Some early patented designs are only identified by the patent date inside the case. Some of all of the gold cases are not marked with the "KU" symbol. Instead, the 18K case are marked "Warranted 18 Karrat Fine" with the "18" embbossed in the center with two small circles on either side. The unidentified 14K gold cases sometimes feature the design patent date of November 15, 1881 with the "Warranted 14K U.S. Assay" eye-shaped mark.

The Keller & Untermeyer company was organized in 1870 by Alexander C. Keller and David Untermeyer after Keller's previous partnership of Freund, Keller & Co. was dissolved.

Alexander Keller died in 1873, but Henry Untermeyer and Sameul Aufhauser had been admitted to the company and were able to maintain the business with Mr. Keller.

The company originally served as a general wholesale operation and jobber. Early advertisements in trade magazines feature "Wild's American Eye-Glass Holder," a device patented August 18, 1874. The company also sold a patented portrait locket.

In 1879, The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review reported that Keller & Untermeyer were the only authorized agents for the International Watch Company in America.

In 1880, the company began manufacturing gold cases with raised ornamentaion. A legal dispute was launched against Jeannot & Shiebler for patent infringement related to the use of a locomotive design on watch cases (US Patent #12485). Jeannot & Shiebler won the case. Various suits were petitioned against other case companies that used designs similar to the ones patented by Keller & Untermeyer, nearly all failing.

In 1883, the company moved from 18 John St. to 9 Maiden Lane.

In 1885, the company organized an associated business under the name Charles Keller & Co. to manufacture jewelry.

In 1886, the manufacturing factory moved to a larger location at the corner of Barclay and Washington Streets.

In 1890, the company decided to build a new factory in Woodside, New Jersey.

In 1892, Thomas Benfield joined the company. This was a stragic business move, as Benfield was able to bring several patents to the company for case improvements.

David Untermeyer, one of the original partners of the company, died in 1900. As a result, the original company was liquidated and the Untermeyer-Robbins Co. was organized by Henry, Emanuel, and Charles S. Untermeyer in partnership with Meyer L. Robbins.

In 1906, these companies moved into a shared space on the 7th floor of the Cockroft Building (71 Nassau St.), including Keller & Co., the Untermeyer-Robbins Co., and what remained of the Keller & Untermeyer Mfg. Co.

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 Keller & Untermeyer 14K: Warranted 14 KU UK K U.S. Assay KU in Circle 14K Gold 14K 1895OY
Watch Case Marking for Keller & Untermeyer 14K E. Howard Label: E.H&Co. U.S. Assay 14K K&U Mfg. Co. 14K E. Howard Label Gold 14K
Watch Case Marking for Keller & Untermeyer 14K Patented Design: Pat.Ap.19.92. K&U Mfg. Co. Warranted 14K U.S. Assay UK KU Pat. Nov. 15 1881 K&I 14K Patented Design Gold 14K
Watch Case Marking for Keller & Untermeyer 14K Unicorn: Unicorn 14 KU UK K Horseshoe 14K Unicorn Gold 14K
Watch Case Marking for Keller & Untermeyer 18K: Warranted 18 Karat Fine with Dots in Oval 18K Gold 18K
Watch Case Marking for Keller & Untermeyer 18K Patented Design: Pat.Sep.20 1881 Warranted 18 Karat Fine with Dots in Oval 18K Patented Design Gold 18K

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks