Pocket Watch Database
Contributor
AIexander
Supporter
Member Since
August 18, 2023
Watches
78
Verifications
1
This Watch Was Admired By:
Swiss Imports L. A. Bourquin
Serial #17224
Movement Image
Dial Image
Case Exterior Image
Case Markings Image
| Manufacturer | Swiss Imports |
| Grade | L. A. Bourquin |
| Serial Number | 17224 |
| Size | 18s |
| Model | |
| Jewel Count | 15j |
| Setting | Key |
| Finish | Nickel |
| Case Material | Coinsilver |
| Case Manufacturer | Thiery Watch Case Co. |
| Case Grade/Model | |
| Case Serial # | 21 |
| Case Details | The case has three of Charles Thiery's patent dates (Nov. 9, 1869, Jan. 18, 1870, and July 28, 1874) engraved into the inner ring of the case. Besides the serial number, the back is stamped "Warranted Silver Coin" and "2½" |
| Dial Material | |
| Dial Type | |
| Dial Style | |
| Dial Signing Name | J. A. Lakin |
| Dial Details | This is a Swiss import made by the Borquins of Bienne, Switzerland. What makes this import unique is that for a certain amount of time, the Borquins manufactured and imported the 10 size "Chas G. Knapp" and "R. F. Pratt" movements of the United States Watch Company of Marion, NJ. Since the Borquins also had a store in New Jersey and were therefore competitors with the USWC, they required certain patent concessions in return. This meant that the Borquins were allowed to manufacture and sell watches based on Fayette Stratton's patents, and were also allowed to utilize a modified butterfly cutout similar to that seen on USWC movements. This Borquin movement is one of those examples, and the cutout can be seen under the balance wheel. James Albert Lakin was born in Boston in 1841, and at age 20 he enlisted in Company E, Massachusetts 1st Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. During that time, he was promoted to Full Corporal. Lakin was wounded during the war, but survived. He mustered out in 1863 at Boston where he resided in Washington Village as a stitcher. Lakin later moved to Westfield, Massachusetts to work as a jeweler and optician. Lakin was a freemason and held the positions of secretary of the Masonic Fraternal Accident Association of America, and president of the National Masonic Aid Association. Lakin also was involved in other business ventures, and was president of both the Woronoco Street Railway Company and the American Casket Hardware Company, as well as vice president of the Woronoco Savings Bank. During this period he held a number of patents for various inventions. Amazingly enough, Lakin also became a politician and was elected to two terms in the state legislature. He served on the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1891 and 1892. As a side note, politician John Franklin Hinds of Webster, MA was also a jeweler who served on the Massachusetts House of Representatives during the same exact two years that Lakin served, and similar to Lakin, Hinds had private label watches made as well (one currently resides in my collection). In the 1890s Lakin served on the staff of Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge, who was the 38th governor of Massachusetts. Lakin held the rank of colonel as an assistant adjutant general under the governor. Lakin passed away at the relatively young age of 57 years old in 1898. He is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield MA with the following inscription of his headstone: Corporal Co E. 1st MASS Inf. |
| Movement Markings | J. A. Lakin Westfield, Mass Full Ruby Jewelled No. 17224 |
Contributed to the database by AIexander on September 13, 2023.
This collection record was most recently edited on February 18, 2024.
This collection record was most recently edited on February 18, 2024.