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NATIONAL W.Co. Elgin, Ill. Chas Fargo 7j, Key Wind/Key Set 4oz. 1871

NATIONAL W.Co. Elgin, Ill. Chas Fargo 7j, Key Wind/Key Set 4oz. 1871


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Directory: Antiques: Instruments and Implements: Timepieces: Pocket Watches: Pre 1800: Item # 1461301

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Watchcompany.com
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10866 Washington Blvd. #855
Culver City, Ca. 90232
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 $1,250.00 
NATIONAL WATCH Co. Elgin, Ill. 1864 – 1874

Waltham W.Co. directors Learning from the errors in production and design, formed the National Watch Co. and the goal was to provide a reasonably priced accurate and easily serviced watch (in the field) that would be available for use in the expansion to the Wild West.

The company was 1st formed in 1864 by officers of the earlier Waltham Watch Co. Some of these Waltham organizers were P.S. Bartlett, D.G. Currier, Otis Hoyt, Charles H. Mason and others. The idea of beginning a large watch company for the mid-West was discussed by J.C. Adams, Bartlett, and Blake. After a trip to Waltham, Adams went back to Chicago and approached Benjamin W. Raymond, a former mayor of Chicago, to put up the necessary capital to get the company started. Adams and Raymond succeeded in getting others to pledge their financial support. The National Watch Co. was formed in August 1864 and incorporated in Elgin, Illinois. The factory was completed in 1866, and the 1st movement was a B.W. Raymond, 18 size! All watches were key wind and had porcelain dials marked: “NATIONAL WATCH Co.” Any dial that is marked this way and is mint, is very scarce. They made history creating the foundations of mass production and the ease of service by watch journeyman in the field. They produced 400,000 watches by 1874, allowing circulation of watches available for use in the 1870s. In 1874 they went out of business, refinanced, and incorporated with a Name change to the city to which they owed their origin, Elgin NATIONAL WATCH Co., Elgin, Illinois. They went on to produce 50 million watches, both wrist & pocket by 1955.

Wild Bill Hitchcock, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Railroad men, gunfighters, Saloon keepers, Lawmen, Cowboys all carried National Watch Co. watches because they were available, accurate, reasonably priced and in circulation all over the Wild West at that time! This example is NATIONAL WATCH Co. Elgin, Ill. Chas Fargo 7j, Key Wind/Key Set, serial No. 148,965 and marked: ELGIN., full plate gilt. The full plate gilt plates are in excellent condition, if not mint. The original white porcelain dial is single sunk marked "NATIONAL WATCH CO." with a very fine chapter ring and is absolutely mint and free of any distractions. The case is a beautiful massive 4oz. coin silver Hunting Model case featuring a single blank SHIELD surrounded by flower designs. All surfaces are free of dents or any distraction that might distract. Just removed from my personal collection, clean running and a historic early American watch. Original sterling silver vest chain with T-Bar. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET OR BONDS. BUY HISTORIC AND COLLECTIBLE HARD ASSETS.

Offered with this purchase: The Deadliest Men by Paul Kirchner Soft Bound C: 2001. Personally signed by the only living participant in this book. The Deadliest Men by Paul Kirchner Soft Bound C: 2001. 417 pages. Offered as a result of frequent requests by my valued customers. This book provides facts surrounding my personal gun fighting experiences in my store. These events occurred from 1989 to 1992 in the Watchcompany retail store in West Los Angeles.

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