Pocket Watch Database
Star Watch Case Co.
Elgin, Illinois and Ludington, Michigan
Initial Marking: S.W.C.Co.
Location: Elgin, Illinois and Ludington, Michigan
Years of Operation: 1899-1982
The Star Watch Case Company was started by Otto A. Starke and Fred Hermann in 1899. Both individuals were former foremen at the Illinois Watch Case Company factory in Elgin, Illinois. In 1906, the company was moved from Elgin to Ludington, Michigan.
According to the July 12, 1899 issue of The Jewelers' Circular, The Star Watch Case Company was incorporated in Elgin, Illinois with a capital of $30,000 by F. Herman, F. Jung, and B.J. Terry in 1899.
In January 1904, the a large part of the factory was damage by fire. Even though work was able to resume, the company began looking towards the future. In 1905, the company decided to move and build a new fire-proof factory in Ludington, Michigan. Work bagan at the Michigan factory in 1906.
An advertisement published in the February 5, 1908 issue of The Jewelers' Circular-Weekly showcases the case grades offered at the time:
Nickel
Excellence, Silver Filled
Sterling Silver, Warranted 925/1000 Fine
Majestic, Warranted 5 Years
Defiance, Warranted 10 Years
Gold Filled, Warranted 25 Years
Gold Filled, Warranted 20 Years
It is important to note that the 25YR and 20YR cases were not yet advertised with trade names.
In 1910, the company introduced the "Wachter Ball Bearing" patented bow.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adams | ||||||
Alert | Gold-Filled | 20-Year | 1942WAG | |||
Baltic | Gold-Filled | 20-Year | ||||
Broadway | Gold-Filled | 25-Year | ||||
Congress | Gold-Filled | 25-Year | ||||
Defiance | Gold-Filled | 10K | 10-Year | 1915ACB | ||
Defiance | Stainless Steel | |||||
Defiance | Base Metal | |||||
Diana | Rolled Gold Plate | 14K | 10-Year | 1904LB | ||
Emperor | Base Metal | |||||
Excellence | Silver-Filled | 1908ACB | ||||
Federal | Gold-Filled | 25-Year | ||||
Hamilton Label 10K GF | Gold-Filled | 10K | ||||
Hamilton Label 10K RGP | Rolled Gold Plate | 10K | ||||
Majestic | Gold-Filled | 5-Years | 1904LB | |||
New York | Gold-Filled | 20-Year | ||||
Scepter | Rolled Gold Plate | 10-Year | 1915ACB, 1928ON | Sep 26, 1911 | ||
Scepter | Gold-Filled | 10-Year | 1912SFM, 1913FDW | Sep 26, 1911 | ||
Star 10K Green GF | Gold-Filled | 10K | 1928ON | |||
Star 10K RGP | Rolled Gold Plate | 10K | ||||
Star 10K White GF | Gold-Filled | 10K | 1928ON | |||
Star 10K Yellow GF | Gold-Filled | 14K | 1932ON | |||
Star 10K/20YR | Gold-Filled | 10K | 20-Year | 1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB | ||
Star 12K GF | Gold-Filled | 12K | ||||
Star 14K Green GF | Gold-Filled | 14K | 1925CPS, 1928ON | |||
Star 14K White GF | Gold-Filled | 14K | 1932ON | |||
Star 14K White Gold | Gold | 14K | 1928ON, 1932ON | |||
Star 14K Yellow GF | Gold-Filled | 14K | 1932ON | |||
Star 14K/25YR | Gold-Filled | 14K | 25-Year | 1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB | ||
Star 18K White GF | Gold-Filled | 18K | 1928ON | |||
Star Base Metal | Base Metal | |||||
Star Chromium | Chromium | 1942WAG | ||||
Star Gold & Sterling Silver | Silver | 12K | 1915ACB | |||
Star Nickel | Nickel Alloy | 1904LB, 1912SFM, 1915ACB, 1932ON | ||||
Star Special 10K/20YR | Gold-Filled | 10K | 20-Year | 1904LB | ||
Star Special 14K/25YR | Gold-Filled | 14K | 25-Year | 1904LB | ||
Star Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | 1942WAG | ||||
Star Sterling Silver | Silver | 1904LB, 1912SFM, 1915ACB, 1942WAG | ||||
Star Yellow Base Metal | Base Metal | 1942WAG | ||||
Stellar | Rolled Gold Plate | 10K | 1928ON | |||
Union Watch Case Company Label | Gold-Filled | 25-Year |