Pocket Watch Database

Ladd Watch Case Co.

Providence, Rhode Island

Ladd Watch Case Co. Image

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Years of Operation: 1883-1898

Predecessor: J.A. Brown & Co. (G.W. Ladd)

NOTE: Much of the known production of Ladd cases was conducted under the J.A. Brown & Co. firm. Please see that company page for more extensive details on the earlier Ladd "gold stiffened" cases.

Specialty: Gold-Filled Cases

The original Ladd "stiffened" gold-filled watch case was introduced in 1867. The case was exclusively manufactured by J.A. Brown & Co.

In April 1883, J.A. Brown & Co. sold the case business, factory, and patents to the Ladd Watch Case Company. According to reports, Brown & Co. retained a large interest in the new copmany.

Around the same time, the new "Acme" model was introduced by the Ladd Watch Case Co., featuring solid gold bows and solid gold linings.

During this era, gold-filled cases were becoming a trendy alternative to solid gold cases. The Ladd company competed in the market against the J. Boss case, manufactured by the Keystone Watch Case Company. Joseph Fahys new factory in Sag Harbor was manufacturing gold-filled cases. And, the Dueber Watch Case factory was working to develop a gold-filled case during this time as well.

In 1891, the company contructed a new factory at the corner of Richmond St. and Clifford St. in Providence.

In October 1891, George W. Ladd, vice-president of the Ladd Watch Case Co. at the time, died. Soon after, the company was assigned by J.A. Brown.

In December 1891, the Ladd Watch Case Company moved to their new factory at 70 Richmond Street, indicating production of the Ladd watch cases was still in motion. After this move, the company began publishing advertisements that specified that no gold under 14K was used in the construction of their "patent standard stiffened-filled gold watch cases." The line of grades consistent of guarantees for 20, 25, and 30 years.

In April 1892, John Adams Brown, president and treasurer of the company, died.

By 1897, the line of gold stiffened cases had been updated to: Ladd Special (30 Years), Ladd Extra (25 Years), Ladd XX (20 Years), Ladd XV (15 Years) and the Ladd V (5 Years) [The Jewelers' Circular, April 7, 1897].

An article published in the February 9, 1898 issue of The Jewelers' Circular reported that the Ladd Watch Case Company was having difficult times with liabilities amounting to $88,000. It was around this time that the company officially failed.

Later that year, after the Bates & Bacon factory had burned, Joseph M. Bates made an offer to purchase the Ladd Watch Case Company. However, Bates decided to rebuilt his factory, and the Ostby & Barton Co. purchased the Ladd factory instead.

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
Acme Ladd Gold-Filled 14K
Watch Case Marking for Ladd Watch Case Co. Head Profile: Man Head in Profile Head Profile Gold-Filled
Ladd Extra Gold-Filled 14K 25-Year 1897BB
Ladd Special Gold-Filled 14K 30-Year 1897BB
Ladd V Gold-Filled 14K 5-Years 1897BB
Ladd XV Gold-Filled 14K 15-Year 1897BB
Ladd XX Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1897BB

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks