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.

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.

Name	Case Material	Gold Content	Gurantee	Source Catalogs
Alert	Gold-Filled			1942WAG
Defiance	Gold-Filled		10-Year	1915ACB
Defiance	Stainless Steel
Defiance	Base Metal
Diana	Rolled Gold Plate	14K	10-Year	1904LB
Emperor	Base Metal
Hamilton Label 10K GF	Gold-Filled	10K
Hamilton Label 10K RGP	Rolled Gold Plate	10K
Majestic	Gold-Filled		5-Years	1904LB
Scepter	Rolled Gold Plate		10-Year	1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB, 1928ON
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