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
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Adams: Adams
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Alert: Alert in Pointed Ribbon Alert Warranted 20 Years Alert Gold-Filled 20-Year 1942WAG
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Baltic: Baltic Gold-Filled 20-Year
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Broadway: Broadway Gold-Filled 25-Year
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Congress: Congress Gold-Filled 25-Year
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Defiance: Definance in Pointed Ribbon Defiance Gold-Filled 10K 10-Year 1915ACB
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Defiance: Definance in Pointed Ribbon Defiance Stainless Steel
Defiance Base Metal
Diana Rolled Gold Plate 14K 10-Year 1904LB
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Emperor: Star W.C.Co. Emporer Quality Emperor Base Metal
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Excellence: Excellence Silver-Filled 1908ACB
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Federal: Federal Gold-Filled 25-Year
Hamilton Label 10K GF Gold-Filled 10K
Hamilton Label 10K RGP Rolled Gold Plate 10K
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Majestic: Majestic in Pointed Ribbon Majestic Gold-Filled 5-Years 1904LB
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. New York: New York Gold-Filled 20-Year
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Scepter: Scepter in Pointed Ribbon Scepter Gold Filled 14 Karat Star Watch Case Company Scepter Rolled Gold Plate 10-Year 1915ACB, 1928ON Sep 26, 1911
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Scepter: Scepter Gold-Filled 10-Year 1912SFM, 1913FDW Sep 26, 1911
Star 10K Green GF Gold-Filled 10K 1928ON
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star 10K RGP: Star Watch Case Compnay 10K Rolled Gold Plate Star 10K RGP Rolled Gold Plate 10K
Star 10K White GF Gold-Filled 10K 1928ON
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star 10K Yellow GF: Star Watch Case Company 10Kt. Gold Filled Star 10K Yellow GF Gold-Filled 14K 1932ON
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star 10K/20YR: Star S.W.C.Co. Gold Filled 20 Years Warranted Star 20 Years Star 10K/20YR Gold-Filled 10K 20-Year 1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star 12K GF: Star Watch Case Company 12 Kt. Gold Filled 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
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star 14K/25YR: Star S.W.C.Co. Two Headed Bird 25 Years double headed Eagle Olive Branch 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
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star Nickel: Two Headed Bird Star W.C.Co. Nickel Cased and Timed by the Elgin National Watch Co. Star Watch Case Company double headed Eagle Olive Branch 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
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Star Sterling Silver: Star W.C.Co. Star Elgin, Ill. Sterling 925 S.W.C.Co. Sterling 925/1000 Fine Star Sterling Silver Silver 1904LB, 1912SFM, 1915ACB, 1942WAG
Star Yellow Base Metal Base Metal 1942WAG
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Stellar: Star Watch Case Company Stellar Star Stellar 10K RGP Stellar Rolled Gold Plate 10K 1928ON
Watch Case Marking for Star Watch Case Co. Union Watch Case Company Label: Union Watch Case Company Label Gold-Filled 25-Year

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks