doug sinclair
12-02-2002, 01:13 AM
George,
In their book American Pocket Watches, ID & Price Guide, Ehrhardt & Meggers list two movements sold under the name Defiance. Both of these are what would be called "dollar watches". That is, at about the turn of the 20th century, watches that fit this description would have sold for about one dollar. Both movements listed are by Ingersoll. No jewels, pin lever escapements, base metal cases, paper dials, often back wound and set (as opposed to stem wound and set). Many Ingersoll watches were made for the Ingersoll Bros. company (five and dime)by the Waterbury Clock Co., Waterbury, Conn. You mentioned the date 1895. Based on what I have read, "dollar watches" may not really have gotten down to the one dollar price range until a bit later than that. A price like 3 to 4 dollars may apply in about 1895. Ingersoll Bros. sold close to 100 million watches, making them the largest watch seller in the history of the American watch business. A number of watch companies including Trenton, Ingersoll and Waterbury (watches) were eventually absorbed into what became TIMEX!
Regards,
Doug S.
In their book American Pocket Watches, ID & Price Guide, Ehrhardt & Meggers list two movements sold under the name Defiance. Both of these are what would be called "dollar watches". That is, at about the turn of the 20th century, watches that fit this description would have sold for about one dollar. Both movements listed are by Ingersoll. No jewels, pin lever escapements, base metal cases, paper dials, often back wound and set (as opposed to stem wound and set). Many Ingersoll watches were made for the Ingersoll Bros. company (five and dime)by the Waterbury Clock Co., Waterbury, Conn. You mentioned the date 1895. Based on what I have read, "dollar watches" may not really have gotten down to the one dollar price range until a bit later than that. A price like 3 to 4 dollars may apply in about 1895. Ingersoll Bros. sold close to 100 million watches, making them the largest watch seller in the history of the American watch business. A number of watch companies including Trenton, Ingersoll and Waterbury (watches) were eventually absorbed into what became TIMEX!
Regards,
Doug S.