Pocket Watch Database

W.F. Doll Mfg. Co.

New York

W.F. Doll Mfg. Co. Image

Location: New York

Years of Operation: 1897-1907

William F. Doll. Sold his business in Canada in 1893 and moved to New York in 1897 to start a case manufacturing company. Sales Office at 9-13 Maiden Lane in New York. Many Rockford watches marked "Doll" were retailed by W.F. Doll's company.

Identification: Cases manufactured by Doll are typically stamped with the company trademark featuring the depiction of a watch pendant, crown, and bow. This mark was officially registered in 1906, just before the company was forced into bankruptcy. The special watches made from the steel salvaged from The Battleship Maine wreckage are marked "The Maine" with the date "Feb. 15. 1898." The front and back of these cases are constructed from steel while the center, pendant, and bow are gold-filled. Serial numbers are typically stamped in larger-than-normal serif digits.

Collectibility: W.F. Doll cases are relatively uncommon and are collectible due to the intrinsic gold content. The special steel cases made from metal salvaged from The Battleship Maine wreckage are extremely collectible due to the historical significance, especially with the original movement and dial commemorating Admiral Dewey.

W.F. Doll began his original business around 1877 in Toronto, Canada. In 1882, he moved to Winnipeg, Manatoba. In 1893, we sold this business and moved to New York in 1897.

In New York, Doll organized the W.F. Doll & Co. and then incorprated the company as the W.F. Doll Mfg. Co. in September 1898.

In 1898, W.F. Doll advertised watches that were made from the steel salvaged from the Battleship Maine. The "Dewy" watch (16-Size) in the Maine case retailed for $6.00 while the "Hobson" (0-Size) retailed for $8.75. A trademark was claimed by Doll for "The Maine" on watches. These watches recieved attention in trade magazines for several months. Some reports indicated that Doll had secured 1,200 pounds of steel from the wreckage.

In 1901, the company recieved the contract for the official watch of the Pan-American Exposition.

In 1906, The Jewelers' Circular Weekly reported that the company was incorporated in Portland, Mained to manufacture gold cases and sell watches directly to the public. The new business assumed the assets of the old business that had been incorporated in New York.

In 1907, an involuntary bankruptcy petition was filed against the New York company.

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 W.F. Doll Mfg. Co. 14K: W.F. Doll 14K Trade Mark Watch Pendant and Crown 14K Gold 14K Jun 26, 1906
The Maine

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks