Jurgensen, J. Alfred records

[Dave Berghold]

Wondering if anyone has had any luck researching the records of the Jurgensen family of watchmakers. I have called the US company but the records of the "early" members of the clan were not available. I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone knowing where these records might be. The watch in question dates from the 1880's and is of the highest quality. Thanks, Dave

[Dave Berghold]

Wondering if anyone has had any luck researching the records of the Jurgensen family of watchmakers. I have called the US company but the records of the "early" members of the clan were not available. I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone knowing where these records might be. The watch in question dates from the 1880's and is of the highest quality. Thanks, Dave

[Tom McIntyre]

The current Jurgensen watches have no more relationship to Jules or J. Alfred than the current Graham and Arnold wrist watches have to those makers.

I have a presentation piece that represents some documentation of J. Alfred. It has a Jules Jurgensen movement in a presentation case signed J. Alfred and was assembled by David Golay.

http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre/European/JurgPresent/Movement_small1.gif (http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre/European/JurgPresent/CaseComp.jpg)

There is some information on Jurgensen in Chamberlain's book "It's About Time." The book is a must have for any serious collector in any case.

I would think that 1880 was a little early for J. Alfred, but I have not done any careful study. My presentation piece (http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre/European/JurgPresent/Jurgensen5th.htm) is dated 1905.

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Tom McIntyre
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre)



[This message has been edited by Tom McIntyre (edited 08-16-2001).]

[Jerry Freedman]

I have a J. Alfred Jurgensen, Locle watch. It is a 10? size hunting 18K case with enamel scenes and multi colored gold. The movement and dial are both signed. The case is also signed J. Alfred Jurgensen, and bears the inscription "Hand Setting Patented 15 January 1867". I have always dated it to about the 1880s. The movement is what a I have always described as a typical high grade Le Locle style movement. The number on the movement is 734, and the regulator is marked fast and slow, which to me indicates the English or american market. Anybody with some thoughts?

[Dave Berghold]

According to K. Pritchard, when Jules died in 1877, the company was run by two of his sons, Jules Urban (1837-1894) and Jacques Alfred (1842-1912). In 1890 J.Alfred left Jules Jurgensen and founded his own company J. Alfred Jurgenson. In 1897 he bought back the firm J.J. from his sister inlaw (brother had died). Also, according to Prichard, "HA said that J.A.J. was a very sentimantal man. In his will he asked that all the intimate family papers be buried with him. His executors burned all the papers and interred the ashes with him." And the search goes on... Also notes that a Morton Clayman owner of a jewelry manufacturning company in Phil. aquired the documents and early timepieces. Anyone know the where-a-bouts of him?

[Tom McIntyre]

I believe that Major Chamberlain acquired Jules Jurgensen's watchmaker's bench from David Golay. It is now in the American Watch & Clock Museum in Bristol in the small hallway to the watch room. It is possible that Chamberlain acquired other non-watch material also that might have found its way to Bristol.

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Tom McIntyre
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre)

[hakonrs]

Hello.
Information about the jurgensen watchmaking-
family can be found on this internett-adress.
www.juergensen.com (http://www.juergensen.com)
This is the best internett-site about Juergensen I have found on the iternett.
The modern wrist-watches that beares the
name Jules Jurgensen , is signed on the dial
"since 1740 "
This is Wrong . Jurgensen started
making watches in 1773. For more information
about the Jurgensen , visit
www.juergensen.com (http://www.juergensen.com)