In todays dollars...

[railman]

On page 94 of the 2002 Shugart's watch book are some old ads. Thought I'd give you some idea of what those prices would be 2001 dollars...

In 1898 a top grade Hamden was $35.00. In 2001 you'd have spent $715.02.

In 1906 a top grade Rockford was $60.00. In 2001 you'd have spent $1135.46

In 1926 a 60 hour Bunn was $58.00. In 2001 you'd have spent $565.09.

I don't know what railroaders made in salary but this had to have been a hefty investment... Oh, I forgot sales tax...

[This message has been edited by railman (edited 04-02-2002).]

[This message has been edited by railman (edited 04-02-2002).]

[railman]

On page 94 of the 2002 Shugart's watch book are some old ads. Thought I'd give you some idea of what those prices would be 2001 dollars...

In 1898 a top grade Hamden was $35.00. In 2001 you'd have spent $715.02.

In 1906 a top grade Rockford was $60.00. In 2001 you'd have spent $1135.46

In 1926 a 60 hour Bunn was $58.00. In 2001 you'd have spent $565.09.

I don't know what railroaders made in salary but this had to have been a hefty investment... Oh, I forgot sales tax...

[This message has been edited by railman (edited 04-02-2002).]

[This message has been edited by railman (edited 04-02-2002).]

[Greg Davis]

Probably just as well that you forgot sales tax. I don't think sales tax was common at the turn of the 20th century. :smile:

- Greg

[Steve Maddox]

Interesting Topic!

So in 1898, $1.00 spent for a watch would equal $20.43 in 2001 dollars; in 1906, it would have equaled $18.92, and in 1926, it would have equaled just $9.74.

In comparing these figures to each other, I wonder how much of the fluctuation is the result of changes in currency values, and how much was due to improved production processes that allowed the relative prices of watches to gradually decline, in much the same way that the prices of electronic items have declined in recent decades.

By the figures used for the Bunn Special above, a model #1 Dudley Masonic in a 14k "flip back" case, which sold for $250 in 1926, would today sell for about $2,435.73. If I'd had to take a wild guess about that, I wouldn't have missed it by very much. On the other hand, I doubt that it would be possible to produce a watch like a 60-Hour Bunn Special today, and sell it profitably for $565.09! Perhaps with prices like that, it's little wonder that the American watch industry bit the dust!


------------------
Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas

[railman]

Steve,
I just used an Internet calculator for inflation. As I've read, most of the cost of the pocket watch was labor. I think as we modernized production the US became a faster producer with fewer laborers. I really thought the 60 hour Bunn would have been more expensive in 1926. Conversely, watches in the 1850's today would be really high priced in 2001 dollars. Kinda like a Patek or Rolex today maybe...