Pocket Watch Database

American Watch Club

American Watch Club Image

Years of Operation: c.1887-1900

August 1887: Nat'l American Watch Club mentioned in classified section of The National Police Gazette (August 13 (20,27,9/), 1887 Issue of The National Police Gazette). "Branches forming everywhere. Authorized Capital, $100,000. Grand chance to get Good Watches at Low Prices on Easy Terms. New Co-operative plan. Reliable club organizers watched. Good pay. Address Nat'l American Watch Club, P.O. Box 3440, N.Y. Please mention the Police Gazette when you write."
1889: American Watch Club (Denver, Colorado) managed by A. Kanouse at 7 Tritch Blk (1889 Denver City Directory) [Also listed under "Watchmakers and Jewelers" Businesses]
1890: American Watch Club (Denver, Colorado) managed by A. Kanouse at 7 Tritch Blk with several salesmen listed (1890 Denver City Directory) [Also listed under "Watchmakers and Jewelers" Businesses]
1890: American Watch Club (Indianpolis, Indiana) operated by William W. Freeman at 11 N. Penn. (1890 Indianapolis City Directory)
June 1890: American Watch Club (Chicago) managed by Jos. Schauweker, Jr. at 86 Superior St. (June 25, 1890 Issue of Printers' Ink, Ad)
1891: American Watch Club (Indianpolis, Indiana) managed by A.J. Decker at 11 N. Penn. (1891 Indianapolis City Directory) [Also listed under "Retail" Businesses]
1891: American Watch Club (Newburgh, New York) at 11 Water St. (1891-1892 Jewelers' Weekly Complete Directory)
1892: American Watch Club (Indianpolis, Indiana) managed by A.J. Decker at 11 N. Penn. (1892 Indianapolis City Directory) [Also listed under "Watches, Clocks and Jewelry - Retail" Businesses]
August 1892: American Watch Club (Indianoplis), A.J. Decker (August 10, 1892 JC)
September 1892: American Watch Club (Indianoplis), A.J. Decker - "closing-out sale." (September 28, 1892 JC)
December 1892: American Watch Club (Indianoplis), "safe and fixtures for sale." (December 28, 1892 JC)
1893: American Watch Club (Cincinnati), The Walker-Edmund Co., Managers at 60 Oriel Buliding (1893 McClure's Magazine Ads - 15-Jewel Elgin or Waltham Movements in Bell Watch Case)
1893 McClure's Ad describes how to join: "How to Join American Watch Club: - On receipt of $2.00, the Club will forward certificate of membership, with the watch selected, member to pay balance, $23.00, in 23 weekly payments of $1.00 each. Join now and have use of elegant watch while paying for it in small installments."
March 1893: "Fletch Medearis has bought out the American Watch Club Co., 11 N. Penn St., and will conduct a regular jewelry business. A.J. Decker, manager of the watch club, will locate in Paducah, Ky., where he will engage in the lumber business." (March 15, 1893 JC)
January 1894: "Cleveland. Joseph Schlaucker & Bros. will go into the wholesale jewelry business. Rooms are now being fitted up in the block at the corner of Ontario St. and Public Square. They will be ready for occupancy about the middle of February. The business of the American Watch Club Co. will then be discontinued." (January 10, 1894 JC)
1898: Large Ad in McClure's Magazine by the American Watch Club (Cincinnati), managed by The Walker-Edumnd Co. - Shows Bell Watch Case and mentions "The Remington." [https://archive.org/details/sim_new-mcclures-magazine_1898-10_11_6/page/78/mode/2up?q=%22American+Watch+Club%22]
December 1898: Ad in Scribner's Magazine The Walker-Edmund Co. - 15-Jewel Elgin Movement, Bell Watch Case 14K/25YR.
1899: Ad in Farm and Fireside - 15-Jewel Elgin/Remington/Waltham.
O.E. Bell (Owner of the Bell Watch Case Co.) was the Vice President of The Walker-Edmund Co., manager of the American Watch Club that was organized in Cincinnati. (1902 Directory of Directors in the City of Chicago)
The Bell Watch Case Company and The Walker-Edmund Company operated from the same location in Cincinnati - 412 Vine St. (1898 City Directory)
-- Continue Research Here --
(Mentions of the compnay fall off around 1900)
Also went by American Watch and Diamond Club c.1900

Tradenames & Private Labels

The following are known tradenames and private labels used by this company and may not represent a comprehensive compilation of all names.

Remington Watch Co.