John F
12-20-2004, 08:59 AM
This is what is called a "private label" or "specially ordered" watch. For a small fee (or sometimes no fee at all), a watch manufacturer would inscribe the jeweler's name - or just about anything - on the watch's dial and/or movement. In this case, Frederick G. Sutor and Joseph M. Parker ran a jewelry store at 17 North 9th Street in Philadelphia in the late 1800s, and this watch was undoubtedly ordered by them.
As for who the maker was, most all the American manufacturers (and swiss makers, as well) would "private label" a watch, but the Illinois Watch Co. of Springfield Ill. was perhaps the most aggressive at this practice. In order to know who Sutor & Parker ordered their watch from, we'll need to see a picture of the movement (different companies had distinct movement designs). Assuming it's an American manufacturer, the serial number should be enough to further identify and date it.
A "Safety Pinion" is a device which allowed one of the pinions (a small gear) to unscrew in case the mainspring breakage, preventing further damage to the rest of the gears.
As for who the maker was, most all the American manufacturers (and swiss makers, as well) would "private label" a watch, but the Illinois Watch Co. of Springfield Ill. was perhaps the most aggressive at this practice. In order to know who Sutor & Parker ordered their watch from, we'll need to see a picture of the movement (different companies had distinct movement designs). Assuming it's an American manufacturer, the serial number should be enough to further identify and date it.
A "Safety Pinion" is a device which allowed one of the pinions (a small gear) to unscrew in case the mainspring breakage, preventing further damage to the rest of the gears.