Pocket Watch Database

Wadsworth Watch Case Co.

Newport, Kentucky; Dayton, Kentucky

Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Image

Initial Marking: W.W.C.Co.

Location: Newport, Kentucky; Dayton, Kentucky

Years of Operation: 1892-1953

Predecessor: H.A. Wadsworth & Co.

The first cases at the Wadsworth factory were finished in June 1890 under the name "H.A. Wadsworth & Co." (gold-filled) [JC, 1890] The company was incorporated was the Wadsworth Watch Case Company in January 1892.

The Wadsworth Watch Case Company was started as H.A. Wadsworth & Co. in 1889. The first cases at the Wadsworth factory were finished in June 1890 under the name "H.A. Wadsworth & Co." [JC, 1890]. The initial production was likely 18-Size. The 6-Size case was introduced in the fall of 1890. The new line of cases was successful in the market, and the 16-Size case was introduced in March 1891. Within a few months, The Jewelers' Circular reported there were 25 patterns avaialble in the new 16-Size line. The 0-Size case was introduced in uly 1892.

The factory specialized in manufacturing gold-filled cases, advertising "handsome designs," "perfect workmanship," and "superior quality" [JC, 1891]. It is unclear how these early cases were marked.

The company was incorporated was the Wadsworth Watch Case Company in January 1892.

Around 1902, the company expanded its product line to offer a 14K solid gold case.

Wadsworth became one of the leading case manufactures in the country, arranging deals with watch factories to provide cases for "factory-cased" watches as trends developed.

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 Wadsworth Watch Case Co. 14K: Wadsworth 14K Wadsworth 14 Karat Solid Gold 14K Solid Gold Wadsworth Quality W.W.C.Co. 14K in Eye Warranted W.W.C.Co. Warranted 14K U.S. Assay 14K Gold 14K 1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. 18K: 18K Gold 18K
Arrow Gold-Filled 20-Year
Permanent Gold-Filled Permanent 1912SFM, 1912HA, 1915ACB, 1916LCM
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Pilot: Ship Wheel Wadsworth Pilot Guaranteed 20 Years Pilot Gold-Filled 10K 20-Year 1902BB, 1904LB
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Pilot: Wadsworth Pilot 25 Yrs Wadsworth Pilot Warranted 25 Years Pilot Gold-Filled 10K 25-Year 1912HA
Pilot Gold-Filled 10K 15-Year 1897BB
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Platoid: Platoid
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Rambler: Wadsworth Rabler Warranted 10 Years Rambler Rolled Gold Plate 10-Year 1897BB
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Referee: W.W.C.Co. Referee 20 Yr. Wadsworth Referee Warranted 20 Years Wadsworth Referee Quailty Referee Gold-Filled 20-Year
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Special: Special Gold-Filled 20-Year
Wadsworth 10K White GF Gold-Filled 14K 1928ON
Wadsworth 10K Yellow GF Gold-Filled 14K 1928ON
Wadsworth 10K/15YR Gold-Filled 10K 15-Year 1895OY, 1896OY, 1896MF
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Wadsworth 10K/20YR: Wadsworth 10L. Gold Filled. Warranted 20 Years Wadsworth 10K/20YR Gold-Filled 10K 20-Year 1899BHIA, 1901OY, 1902ACB, 1906SRC, 1911WJJ, 1912WJJ, 1912HA, 1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Wadsworth 14K White GF: 14K Gold Filled Wadsworth Qaulity Wadsworth 14K White GF Gold-Filled 14K 1928ON
Wadsworth 14K White Gold Gold 14K 1925CPS
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Wadsworth 14K/20YR: Wadsworth 20 Year Wadsworth Warranted 20 Years Wadsworth 14K/20YR Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1895OY, 1896OY, 1896MF, 1897BB, 1903N76
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Wadsworth 14K/25YR: Wadsworth Quality 14 Karat Gold Filled Wadsworth Warranted 25 Yrs. Wadsworth 14K/25YR Gold-Filled 14K 25-Year 1899BHIA, 1899SAC, 1901OY, 1902BB, 1902ACB, 1903N76, 1904LB, 1906SRC, 1911WJJ, 1912WJJ, 1912SFM, 1913FDW, 1915ACB, 1925ASJ
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Wadsworth 18K/25YR: Wadsworth 18K/25YR Gold-Filled 18K 25-Year
Watch Case Marking for Wadsworth Watch Case Co. Wadsworth Nickel: Wadsworth in Rounded Ribbon Wadsworth Nickel Nickel Wadsworth W.C.Co. Wadsworth Nickel Nickel Alloy
Wadsworth Rolled Gold Plate Rolled Gold Plate 5-Years 1895OY, 1896OY

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks