According to the March 1878 issue of The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review, Jacques Laurent was building a factory in Linden, New Jersey, to manufacture gold and silver cases. Occupancy was expected May 1, 1878. The report suggests that Laurent had previously been creating cases from his location at 17 John St. in New York City.

According to Crossman, the factory produced cases for a short period of time with a workforce of 300 men before failing. The tools and machinery were sold to Hagstoz & Thorpe (predecessors of the Keystone Watch Case Company).

Shortly after work began, workers organized a strike in response to a factory rule prohibiting smoking in the workshops [Philadelphia Times, June 27, 1878]. Within a few weeks, this strike was reportedly resolved [The Item, July 20, 1878].