The Illinois Watch Company Observatory As watchmaking advanced in the 20th century, new methods were required to ensure precision and remain competitive in the market. In 1910, the Elgin National Watch Company constructed a dedicated observatory to time and adjust watches using celestial positioning. In response, the Illinois Watch Company opened its own observatory in 1913 following the same principle. The observatory project at the Illinois Watch Company was led by factory superintendent George F... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 6 days ago

A guest post by Jonathan Luysterborghs. In the summer of 1913 the Seth Thomas Clock Company issued Centennial Medals to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the original founding of the company in 1813.  The medals were designed by Seth Thomas jr., the great-grandson of the founder of the Seth Thomas Clock Company. The Centennial Medals were two and one half inches (2 1/2”) in diameter, struck in bronze with a gold finish.  The obverse displays a portrait of Seth Thomas, in relief. Around the edge it reads “To Commemorate The 100th Year of Seth Thomas Clock Co”.  At the sides of the portrait “ Seth Thomas” and “1785-1859” is inscribed... Continue Reading

by Jonathan Luysterborghs, 2 weeks ago

Elgin Grade 201 Movement #14601419 While men's watches received plenty of attention, American watch companies also strategically marketed watches to women. Because these watches were typically purchased as fashion accessories, the quality of the movement tended to be on the lower end. The precision of the movement was usually less important than the case that housed it. However, American watch companies offered finer movements for the upper end of the market that could afford it... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 3 weeks ago