Pocket Watch Database
Contributor
AIexander
Supporter
Member Since
August 18, 2023
Watches
73
Verifications
1
This Watch Was Admired By:
Melrose Watch Co. Melrose Watch Compnay
Serial #32120
Movement Image
Dial Image
Case Exterior Image
| Manufacturer | Melrose Watch Co. |
| Grade | Melrose Watch Compnay |
| Serial Number | 32120 |
| Size | 18s |
| Model | |
| Jewel Count | 11j or 15j |
| Setting | Key |
| Finish | Gilt |
| Case Material | |
| Case Manufacturer | |
| Case Grade/Model | |
| Case Serial # | |
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| Dial Details | The Tremont/Melrose Watch Co. began in Tremont, Massachusetts by Aaron L. Dennison and A.O. Bigelow. The Company's goal was to lower expenses by outsourcing skilled Swiss labor for the manufacture of the more complicated watch parts such as trains, balances and escapements and then having these parts shipped to America. The Tremont/Melrose Watch Company (1864-1868) has a foggy history, with collectors falling into two camps. The first camp believes that the company began as the Tremont Watch Company and then incorporated under the firm name of the Melrose Watch Company, with the company moving its headquarters out of Boston and into Melrose, Massachusetts. The second camp believes that the Tremont Watch Company never changed its name in the first place but did move to Melrose, and that "Melrose Watch Co" was only the grade of the movement. Currently there isn't any documentation that proves that the Tremont Watch Company changed its name, which is what has caused such skepticism. In the 1888 book "The Watch Factories of America, Past and Present" by Henry G. Abbott, he states: "In 1866 the company decided to move the factory to Melrose, Mass., and manufacture the entire movement in this country. Mr. Dennison was strongly opposed to this change as the company were doing a very good business, and the outlook was very encouraging. He prophesied that if the change was made the company would surely come to grief. The officers of the company, however, had decided on the change, and accordingly a frame building 50 X 100 feet was purchased, and the old tools and machinery moved in, and arrangements made for the manufacture of new ones. Mr. Dennison then withdrew from the company as a stockholder, but continued to furnish the company with material until the new tools were well under way. The old movement was remodeled and engraved " Melrose Watch Company." About this time the company began to run short of funds, and called upon the stockholders for the additional fifty per cent, of the capital stock. The stockholders, however, failed to come to time, and in 1865 Mr. Dennison's prophesy came true." This narrative does state that Tremont did in fact move to Melrose, but a company name change was never mentioned which has led to such speculation. Regardless, the "Melrose Watch Co." movement marking was only used for around two years, with only around 3400 movements bearing the name. |
| Movement Markings | Melrose Watch Co. Boston No 32120 |
Contributed to the database by AIexander on January 24, 2024.
This collection record was most recently edited on January 24, 2024.
This collection record was most recently edited on January 24, 2024.