Chicago, 1888, reprinted by Forgotten Books, Lexington, KY, 2012.Īrtzner, Darrah G., A Review of the Rockford Watch Company And It’s Watches With Emphasis On Model Identification, 2011, available from NAWCC Chapter 149.Ĭrossman, Charles S. The Watch Factories of America Past and Present: A complete history of Watch Making in America, from 1809 to 1888 Inclusive.
The serial number being referred to is the serial number on the movement of the watch, not the case.Ībbott, Henry G. Note: These are approximate dates, actual dates may vary by years. Rockford Production Dates by Serial Number 87, 15 jeweled, adjusted to heat, cold and positions Not all of these were railroad approved even though all are railroad grade. The following is from list of railroad grade watches which is generally attributed Webb C. Rockford railroad grade watches (not all were railroad approved) factory building still exists today housing several small businesses. Many of them are found with private engravings. With half of all watches produced between 19. The Rockford Watch Co, including Rockford Watch Co, Ltd., produced slightly less than one million watches during its 40 year history Eppenstein, purchased the Rockford Watch Co. Two of the principles of the Illinois Watch Case Co., J. The company had financial difficulties in 1896, and was reorganized as the Rockford Watch Co. Around 1902 railroad grade watches began being marked "Adjusted to 5 Positions."ĭuring the late 1880's the factory was producing about 150 watches per day, employing 350 people.
Around 1898 Rockford 18-size 800 series and 900 series railroad grade watches began being marked "RG", grade numbers began being marked on movements around 1900. The highest grades of early Rockford watches were signed "Ruby" or "Ruby Jewels." Up to the mid-1890's the higher grade watches were marked "adjusted", but the level of adjustment varied by grade. Rockford watches were advertised in railroad journals and were popular with railroad workers, with 3 railroads going through Rockford. By 1877, the company was producing 3/4 plate nickel movements. The company had 40 employees and was soon turning out 10 watches per day, all 18-size, in five different grades.
The first Rockford watch, a key-wind, 18-size, full plate with expansion balance was released in May 1876. and had previously worked for the United States Watch Co. Clarke was appointed superintendent, Clarke was also from the Cornell Watch Co.
The factory building was built in 1875-76, incorporating equipment purchased from the Cornell Watch Company. Parker became key employees establishing Rockford. Former Cornell Watch Company employees, P. The Rockford Watch Company was organized in 1874 in Rockford, Illinois, located 93 miles west of Chicago, following the reorganization and move of the Cornell Watch Co.
of San Francisco encountered financial difficulties and closed in 1876. The Cornell Watch Company reorganized and relocated to San Francisco in 1874. Cornell manufactured a range of ten grades of 18-size watches. (Newark, NJ) and had it shipped to Chicago, to be installed in a newly built factory in 1871. Adams obtained the plant of the Newark Watch Co. was formed in 1870 by Paul Cornell, a real-estate dealer in suburban Chicago, along with J.C. Rockford Watch Co, Rockford, Illinois Cornell Watch Co., Chicago