Pocket Watch Database

M.S. Smith & Co. Image

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Years of Operation: c.1868-1871 (Watch Production)

M.S. Smith & Co. was organized in 1859 and a retail jewelry store in Detroit, Michigan. According to a testimonial published a local newspaper advertisement, Smith began manufacturing watch movements in December 1868.

Serial Number Lookup

Company Timeline

1859

M.S. Smith & Co. begins operating in Detroit, Michigan after purchasing the failed jewlery store of L.P. Durkee & Co.

December 1868

M.S. Smith & Co. begins production of the "Our Watch" from their location in Detroit. The watch was advertised as a "key and stem winder, nickel movement, adjusted to heat, cold and position."

November 1871

The last advertisements for M.S. Smith's "Our Watch" are published in the local paper. It is unclear how much longer Smith continued his manufacturing operation.

1894

Martin S. Smith retired, and the company was reorganized as Smith, Sturgeon & Co. and then W.A. Sturgeon & Co.