Pocket Watch Database
Willemin Watch Case Co.
Brooklyn, New York
Initial Marking: WWCCo
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Years of Operation: 1881-1889
Successor: H. Muhrs Sons
Makers of gold watch cases, raised gold ornamentation and Jurgensen style engine turning. Absorbed by H. Muhr's Sons c.1888. [Crossman] Case marks by this company can be easily confused with the Western Watch Case Co. and the Wadsworth Watch Case Co.
According to a report in the August 1884 issued of the Jewelers' Circular, the Willemin Watch Case Company had an exceursion to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the company, placing the organization date in 1881 instead of 1882, as other sources often cite.
The company advertised that all cases were all hand-made and "are not engine-turned by steam-powered lathes" [Jewelers' Circular, 1883]. Similar advertisements from this era claim "The E. Howard Watch Co. use our cases exclusively."
In 1883, the Willemin Watch Case Co. and H. Muhr's Sons shared a sales office in New York at No. 1 1/2 to 14 and 16 Maiden Lane [Jewelers' Circular, September 1883]. Willemin solid gold cases were also offered in catalogs distributed by H. Muhr's Sons, indicating a close relationship between the two companies.
In 1883, the company was listed as a case manufacturer described as "makers of gold watch cases. Raised gold ornamentation and Jergensen style of engine turning." [Jewelers' Circular, 1883].
Gustavus Willemin died in 1887, and his son, Charles F. Willemin, ran the company for two years before facilitating a merger with H. Muhr's Sons. Willemin remained involved in the Muhr company for many years, eventaully becoming a member of the sales force in the ring department.
The Willemin factory was officially merged into H. Huhr's Sons in the Spring of 1889. The May issue of the Jewelers' Circular includes an advertisement from H. Muhr's Sons stating that they "continue the manufacture of the Willemin Case Company's justly celebrated 18-kt., 14-kt., 10kt., solid gold cases." [Jewelers' Circular, May 1889].
It is unclear how long H. Muhr's Sons continued the manufacturing and sales of the Willemin gold cases. Charles F. Willemin's transition to the ring department by 1891 may indicate that this venture did not operate for long.
Personal Note: A newspaper report published in June 1857 indicates that a "Mr. Willemin" and his daughter drowned during a yachting excursion with the company of Gigon & Seydel after the boat capsized. It is possible this was the father and sister of Gustavus, as he is associated with Gigon in his early years.
The embossed "W.W.C.Co" mark with angled terminals has been attributed to the Willemin Watch Case Company due to associations with (1) fancy gold ornamention, (2) pairings with Howard movements, (3) pairings with movements from other watch factories produced in the late 1880s.
The stamped "W.W.C.Co." mark (instead of embossed) is likely from the era when H. Muhr's Sons was manufacturing the Willemin cases. These marks are generally seen paired with movements from c.1890, after the company merger would have transpired. The last known production is seen around c.1891, and no advertisements featuring solid gold cases have been discovered after this time. Charles F. Willemin, Gustavus Willemin's son, went to work at the Muhr factory during the merger. however, by 1891, he was working in the ring sales department. This evidence suggests the Willemin solid gold case production was terminated in 1891 or shortly thereafter.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10K | Gold | 10K | ||||
14K | Gold | 14K | 1886HMS | |||
14K E. Howard Label | Gold | 14K | ||||
14K Muhr | Gold | 14K | 1886HMS | |||
18K | Gold | 18K | 1886HMS |