Smith D. French Watch Co.?

[Bill Stockton]

I live near South Bend, IN and have been collecting South Bend watches for several years. I was always of the understanding that South Bend was the only watch company in Indiana. HOWEVER, while surfing through my new volume of Complete Price Guide to Watches, I discovered the Smith D. French Watch Co. of Wabash, Indiana. In business from 1866 - 1876 but total production of only about 70 watches. Its on page 214 of the latest issue. Does anyone have any information about them or have one of their watches. Also, were there any other watch companies in Indiana that I didn't know of?

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Bill,

A couple of his watches were sold by Bonham's in 2014. The pictures are online.

Greg

 

[Fred Hansen]

As Greg mentioned two sold at Bonhams in 2014 (for $10000 and $12500) and can be viewed at this link ...

Bonhams : Search Results

Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars

www.bonhams.com

Another example surfaced about 15 years ago on eBay. These are the only three examples I’m aware of and each is a bit different from one another.

 

[Bill Stockton]

Thanks guys for the replies. The photos are really interesting.