Pocket Watch Database

Kenosha Watch Case Co.

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin

Years of Operation: 1889 - 1891

Predecessor: Blauer Watch Case Co.

Successor: Rockford Watch Case Co.

Reorganized from the Blauer Watch Case Company when the company moved from Chicago to Kenosha, Wisconsin in November 1889. The factory was closed in October 1891, and the machinery was sold to the Rockford Watch Case Co.

Identification: Kenosha watch cases are typically marked "Kenosha." However, some grades may have continued simplistic marking habits from the Blauer Watch Case Company era. For example, the "Victor" case may have been marked with "Victor" in an upside-down crescent moon shape without "Kenosha" being identified (no "Kenosha"-marked Victor cases have been discovered).

*** Important Note *** One of the most frequent misattributions in American watch cases involves the "Kenosha Indian" case. The Keystone Watch Case Company also produced a case with an illustrated Indian mark. Because the Keystone Indian cases are far more common, they are often improperly identified as Kenosha cases. However, the Indian mark on Keystone cases features an older male Indian chief while a much younger female Indian appears on the Kenosha cases. Also, the headdress that adorns the head of the Kenosha Indian is marked "KENOSHA." The Kenosha Indian design was trademarked on October 27, 1891 (U.S. Trademark #20266). The Indian trademark used by the Keystone Watch Case Company was originally trademarked on September 7, 1909, by the Philadelphia Watch Case Company (U.S. Trademark #75144). Then it was reregistered in 1911 and assigned to the Keystone Watch Case Company (under similar ownership).

Photographs of both marks are available in the database for comparison.

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 Kenosha Watch Case Co. Badger: Kenosha Badger Par.Sep.10.89 Badger Gold-Filled 10K 15-Year 1890AP, 1891SAC
Kenosha 14K/20YR Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1892BAC
Watch Case Marking for Kenosha Watch Case Co. Kenosha Indian: Indian with Headdress and Feathers Kenosha Indian Gold-Filled Oct 27, 1891
Kenosha Silver 1890AP, 1891RR, 1891SAC
Kenosha Silver Invisible Joint Silver 1890AP, 1890BA
Victor Coin Silver 1890AP, 1890BA

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks