RE: Wallingford Watch

[AJupstateNY]

These are photos of the watch I found a few days ago. Made by the
Wallingford Watch Co, Wallingford, Conn.

Still no information on the watch co.

 

[bhershey]

Found this on the web...


Swiss imitations of American watches, typically (but not always) keywinders, were imported in great numbers between 1857 and approximately 1880. Some named examples include watches labeled "Wallingford Watch Company", "Meriden Watch Company", and "Bristol Watch Company".

It is important to note that the quality of the Swiss imitations was generally equal to and sometimes even better than the American watches for whom they afforded competition. They fit flawlessly into American cases, but had very good quality cases of their own. Furthermore, the prevalence of these imitations led to federal legislation requiring railroad watches to be manufactured exclusively in the U.S.

 

[AJupstateNY]

Thank you, that is alot more info then I have found
so far.

 

[RandyNorthridgeca]

Great find and nice pictures. I love that old stuff. Did you find it in a park and how deep was it? WTG!

 

[MassSandman]

I spoke with the curator at the Wallingford Historical Society today. She was unaware of any long established watch factory in Wallingford. You may want to check with the Nat'l Assoc. of Watch & Clock Collectors. I have a contact for you: Jim Katzin Kitkat@sent.net. I hope you can get some clarification on this with him. Best wishes and HH

 

[AJupstateNY]

Thanks for the info, will do.

 

[AJupstateNY]

Old park, at about 6", WOT, Explorer 2.

 

[James N.D.]

Nice watch there! You don't find too many that are that complete and in that condition. Hope you find some info on it and congrats on the find.

 

[JCPinCt]

I live in Wallingford,Ct. and never knew they made a watch with that name on it. But in dealing with watches in the past, I do know stores/businesses, could buy works from other countrys, and put the face and back wording on them with whatever name they wanted. I would think this is the way this watch was sold. As there was no Wallingford Watch Company that I ever heard of. This is the area of many silver companys and much manufacturing back in the 1800s. Wallingford was a small, but prosperous town back then. Hope this helps. If interested in selling it, let me know, as I have some friends who collect local history and may be interested. Is the face gone on it? John

 

[ddbigsparky]

i read your entry from 2 yrs ago. i have almost the exact watch and wanted to know if there is any new info. i've had mine for about 18 yrs. when my grandfather died. i dont know where he got it or how old it is or ....? it is in great shape. the glass has come out but is in one piece . i will load a pic soon. i know he had it for a long long time.

 

[JCPinCt]

I have a local friend who says he has one also. His is not a dug up. I think they were ordered by one of the local jewelers at the time when they werer sold. Looks like a Waltham watch works, so they probably contracted them to ingrave the backs and face with Wallingford Watch Co. lettering.

 

[ddbigsparky]

Mine also has a pic of some sort of bird ingraved on it. does your friend know about how old they might be?

 

[SNOWY]

AJ, that's a fantastic find!

Really nice.

 

[JCPinCt]

I haven't had a chance to ask him, but being we are both in the antique business, I would say between 1880 and 1920. I have to make a correction also, I mentioned it looks like a Waltham works, and in some ways it does, but it is Swiss made and they imported them here in the US with all sorts of store or city names on the face or back.

 

[coinnut]

Hi, This link (you may have to cut and paste it in) has a Connecticut collectors and dealers association that may be able to help. There is an email address near the top of the page to contact them. In the article is a guy who has been repairing watches and clocks for a long time. Someone there must know about your watch. Let me know how you made out. Didn't read the whole link, so I don't know if you already have this info. Good luck http://www.pricelessads.com/nawcc148/2001/past2001.html