Seth Thomas Private Label & Named Grade Pocket Watches
What is a Private Label pocket watch? How can we know which Private Label pocket watches were made by Seth Thomas? In which models, grades, and jewel counts were the various Seth Thomas Private Label watches manufactured? Who placed the special orders that led to the production of the various Seth Thomas Private Label pocket watches? Here is an updated list of the private label pocket watches presented on this website.
The Pocket Watch Database is an excellent resource for exploring and discovering the answers to these questions about the variety of Private Label pocket watches manufactured by Seth Thomas between 1885 and 1915. In addition to the vast historical research provided by the Pocket Watch Database’s founder, Nathan Moore, there is a wealth of information to be gained by viewing, reading, and analyzing the “Collection View” pages for individual watches posted to the database by collectors from around the world.
Many of the answers to our questions were originally presented in retailers’ catalogs and advertisements, Seth Thomas catalogs and price lists, and the guides published by horologists during the years, 1885-1915, that Seth Thomas was actively manufacturing and marketing pocket watches. Other guides, published after Seth Thomas pocket watch production ceased, provide us with access to the research of others who had interest in identifying, cataloging, and describing the detailed characteristics of Seth Thomas pocket watches as well as those produced by other manufacturers, and in some instances identifying who the wholesaler or retailer was who had special ordered private label pocket watches.
Private Label pocket watches have also been referred to as “Trade Name” watches, “Named Grade” watches, or “Jeweler’s Contract” watches. The Pocket Watch Database Reference Library informs us of what is meant by the term “Private Label”:
“Modern collectors use the term “private label” to refer to any watch that was manufactured with custom markings or finishing to fulfill a special order. In original advertisements and materials, manufacturers generally offered these “Special Named” movements free of charge and offered special named dials for a small fee. “
Some Seth Thomas Private Label watches have the Private Label marked on the both the dial and the movement, others may have it marked on the movement only, and others may have it marked on the dial only. These choices were made by the individual customers who contracted with Seth Thomas to make them.
“Named Grade” watches, while also listed and depicted in this article, include only the trade name watches that are a part of a manufacturer’s standard production and are sold by the manufacturer. Private Label watches, on the other hand, are sold by the customer who contracted with the manufacturer to have them made. The named grade pocket watches manufactured and sold by Seth Thomas only include Centennial, Century, Henry Molineux, and Maiden Lane. Within the Century grade there are many private labels including “Century U.S.A.” which was manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Company.
Within the Seth Thomas pocket watch production, there were also many series of watches. A Seth Thomas “series” is not a Seth Thomas “grade” or a Seth Thomas “private label.” The watches within the Seth Thomas series are assigned Seth Thomas grade numbers. These series included “First Series” which was Model 1, “Second Series” which was Model 3, “Third Series” which was Model 2, “Fourth Series” which was Model 4, and “Eagle Series”. The Eagle Series was divided into “Eagle Series – Old Model,” which included Model 6 and Model 7, and “Eagle Series – New Model,” which included Model 8 and Model 9. The Eagle Series also included the 6-size Model 15, Model 16, and Model 17. Within the Eagle Series, there are many private labels, including Diamond Watch Company, Empire State Watch Company, and Yale Watch Company, to name just a few.
One hundred sixteen (116) private label Seth Thomas pocket watches, many produced in multiple variations, are identified and described in “American Pocket Watches: Identification and Price Guide” Revised 1999, by Roy Ehrhardt & William “Bill” Meggers. Despite a number of omissions and errors, this is the most comprehensive resource in identifying what Seth Thomas made during its years of manufacturing pocket watches and what those watches looked like. A list of those one hundred sixteen (116) Seth Thomas Private Labels may be seen in the NOTES at the end of this article. It is not simple to digest; but it is a “must own” volume for Seth Thomas pocket watch collectors.
The “Complete Price Guide to Watches” 2012 Edition, by Richard E. Gilbert and Cooksey Shugart provides a wealth of detailed information in its ten pages dedicated to Seth Thomas pocket watches.
The “Encyclopedia and Price Guide of American Pocket Watches Volume 1” by Roy Erhrhadt contains an amazing amount of valuable information about Seth Thomas pocket watches in general, and about private label pocket watches especially. This is an important book for any serious Seth Thomas pocket watch collector to own.
“Seth Thomas Watches 1885—1915,” compiled by Chris H. Bailey in 1981 and published by the American Clock & Watch Museum, Inc. gives us access to the earliest documentation of Seth Thomas pocket watch production. This document serves as the North Star of all legitimate subsequent Seth Thomas research efforts.
The importance of making historical background information freely available to all who have interest in the roots of the American clock and watch industry cannot be overstated. Information that is not freely shared not only confounds the research of present day horologists; but will likely become information forever lost to the future generations of horologists.
The Pocket Watch Database, serving as a collective repository for the studies and research of many, is playing the greatest role in collecting, organizing, consolidating, and freely disseminating invaluable information to the horological community and the public at large.
The following chart was included in Encyclopedia and Price Guide of American Pocket Watches – Volume 1 by Roy Ehrhardt. It provides some good baseline information and a starting point to appreciate the array of Seth Thomas private label pocket watches that collectors should be aware of. This list is certainly not all-inclusive.
How to Identify Seth Thomas Private Label Watches
There is frequent confusion amongst pocket watch enthusiasts, collectors, and sellers, regardless of their years of involvement, around the identity of Seth Thomas Private Label pocket watches because most of the pocket watches are not signed with the Seth Thomas name on the dial nor on the movement. Identifying the manufacturer requires knowledge of the shapes and configurations of the top plates of the many models of Seth Thomas pocket watches. Use of the Ehrhardt American (EA) Numbered Drawings permits identification of any pocket watch manufactured in America between 1830 and 1990. The shapes of a watch’s top plates and bridges, as well as the locations of plate screws, casing screws, pivots, balance wheel, regulator, and the mainspring, all contribute to accurately identifying a pocket watch movement by means of the Ehrhardt American (EA) Numbered Drawings. The EA Drawings for Seth Thomas pocket watches are numbered from EA 805 to EA 823.
Seth Thomas Watch Company (1885-1915) did not provide a model number for each of the pocket watch models that they produced. Over the years since they ceased production of Seth Thomas pocket watches (1915) several methods of referring to the individual models have evolved. For the purposes of this article I have used a similar nomenclature to Ehrhardt for referring to each Seth Thomas model. The only exception is that the model that Ehrhardt refers to as the 4-size “Model 26”; I refer to as a 6-size “Model 24”. I am not stating this to claim that my chosen nomenclature is correct/better or that other nomenclatures are wrong/worse. I am not stating a justification for using this particular nomenclature as that justification could be misconstrued as an argument for this nomenclature to become a standard. I am merely acknowledging that different nomenclatures exist and explaining what my practice for this article is. I apologize in advance if this creates discomfort for any readers. This is an ambiguity that the history of Seth Thomas Watch Company left us with, and I am comfortable with it remaining officially ambiguous.
Since Seth Thomas produced Private Label pocket watches in twenty of its twenty-four models (and I have heard rumors of at least one private label in one additional model), it would be wise to become familiar with all of the Seth Thomas movement configurations in order to identify all of the Seth Thomas private label pocket watches correctly. The task of familiarizing yourself with all twenty-four models is not as difficult as it might sound. Several of the models share patterns of plate shape and placement of their landmark features. Model 1, Model 3, Model 6, and Model 8 are all 18-size open-face oriented movements with 3/4 plates. It would be difficult to tell them apart without looking at the movement markings and serial numbers. Model 7 and Model 9 are both 18-size hunting oriented movements with 3/4 plates. It is difficult to tell the movements apart without looking at the serial numbers. One trick in telling these 18-size movements apart when the serial numbers are not visible is to look at the balance cock. The engraved pattern at the wide end of the balance cock is different between Models 1, 3, 6, and 8; and between 7 and 9; but the pattern can be the same between the opposite oriented pair of Old Eagle Models 6 and 7; or the opposite oriented pair of New Eagle Models 8 and 9. Many of the 6-size models, Model 15 – Model 19, share a common 3/4 plate shape and placement of landmark features. That leaves us with one shape for Models 1, 3, 6, and 8; one shape for Model 2; one shape for Model 4, one shape for Model 5; one shape for Models 7 and 9; one shape for Model 10; one shape for Model 11; one shape for Model 12; one shape for Model 13; one shape for Model 14; one shape for Models 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19; one shape for Model 20; one shape for Model 21; one shape for Model 22; one shape for Model 23; and one shape for Model 24. Altogether, there are only sixteen shape patterns to learn, far fewer than the thousands that we needed to learn in my college Chinese language courses.
The Seth Thomas Private Label Pocket Watch Chart presents information about the model number of the movement, the size of the movement, how each movement is set, whether it was manufactured to Open Face or Hunting orientation, and lastly, the Ehrhardt American Movement Identification Drawing Number. The EA Number allows researchers to identify any unknown American movement by comparing the shapes of its plates and locations of other key features to drawings of every known pocket watch manufactured in America. The Seth Thomas pocket watch drawing numbers range from EA 805 through EA 823. After memorizing those shapes; you will be able to recognize any pocket watch movement manufactured by Seth Thomas regardless of the movement markings that were engraved upon it. As they were both “Century” grade, there is some lack of clarity and continuity in the accurate representation and differentiation between Model 10 and Model 12 and between Model 11 and Model 13 in the Private Label movement descriptions. I have clarified this by using direct visual observation of Seth Thomas Private Label movements and using the correct EA Number in the Seth Thomas Private Label Pocket Watch Chart. There are also some instances of incomplete or inaccurate information in the descriptions in “American Pocket Watches.” I have also clarified many of these details by using direct visual observation of Seth Thomas Private Label movements and adding this information to the chart.
In the pages following the presentation of the chart, AE Numbered Drawings and photos of examples of many of the private label watches included in the chart will be presented in the same alphabetical order found in the chart. By clicking on the name of each Private Label watch you will be brought to the Pocket Watch Database Private Label Lookup page for that particular private label. Each of the photos in this article can be enlarged by clicking directly on the image. Clicking on the serial numbers of the pocket watches presented will bring you to the Pocket Watch Database “Collection View” page for that particular watch. Space prevents the inclusion of more than the general description provided on the Seth Thomas Private Label Pocket Watch Chart. Detailed descriptions and history, when available, of each private label pocket watch, will be included in future articles dedicated to specific private label watches, such as the “Pan-American” article, or related groups of private label watches, such as the “Seth Thomas Trading Watches” article. I have included the Companion, Tourist, and Traveler on the chart because they are variants that were named in the Seth Thomas Watch Company publications and advertisements. I believe that they deserve representation here as being variants, different from the general stock pocket watches in each of their respective models.
I developed the chart presented below to help improve my own understanding of the large range of Seth Thomas private label pocket watches that were manufactured. The information needed to create this chart was drawn from several sources: American Pocket Watches: Identification and Price Guide (1999) by Roy Ehrhardt and William “Bill” Meggers; Encyclopedia and Price Guide for American Pocket Watches – Volume 1 by Roy Ehrhardt; Seth Thomas Watches 1885 – 1915 by Chris Hailey; American Clock & Watch Museum, Inc.; Complete Price Guide to Watches (2012) by Richard E. Gilbert, Tom Engle, and Cooksey Shugart, and the Pocket Watch Database founded by Nathan Moore. Please feel free to print this chart for use in your daily practice. I hope that it will be as helpful to you as it has been for me.
The last known Private Label pocket watch manufactured by Seth Thomas occurred in the final run of Model 12. The last known Private Label was a “Republic U.S.A.” with serial number 4068501. Photographs of this pocket watch are presented in this article, not because it is collectible or valuable, but because it is the last known Seth Thomas Private Label pocket watch to be produced and has the highest serial number of any known surviving pocket watch manufactured by Seth Thomas. If there is another private label pocket watch manufactured by Seth Thomas after this one; there are no photographs of the movement, and no public documentation or recognition of it.
The earliest known surviving pocket watch manufactured by Seth Thomas is not a private label pocket watch. It is the Model 1 with serial number 94, which is part of the Seth Thomas Fan Collection. The movement was incomplete at the time of purchase and has been temporarily supported and supplemented with the following materials from Model 3 parts movements: the balance bridge and screw, hairspring, balance wheel, pallet fork, one pillar screw, and the hour wheel. A proper hour wheel and minute wheel are still missing. The search is ongoing for the original Model 1 parts that would make this restoration complete.
I have included the Companion, Tourist, and Traveler on the chart because they are variants that were named in the Seth Thomas Watch Company publications and advertisements. I believe that they deserve representation here as being variants, different from the general stock pocket watches in each of their respective models.
The First and the Last
The first documented Private Label pocket watch manufactured by Seth Thomas occurred in Model 1, in 1885. The first known Seth Thomas Private Label was “A. S. Bleyer, Central City, Neb.” This example of an A.S. Bleyer movement bears serial number 4510. It was not the first A. S. Bleyer manufactured; but it is an example the first private label contracted for with the Seth Thomas Watch Company.
Alexander S. Bleyer, born in Austria in 1847, is known to have been a jeweler in Central City Nebraska in the 1870’s and 1880’s. Records beyond that have not been found at this time. See Wolf’s Nebraska Gazetteer 1879; 1880 US Census for the Town of Central City, Merrick County, Nebraska; and 1885 Nebraska State Census.
Photographs of this pocket watch are presented in this article; not because it is collectible or valuable, but because it is an example of the first known Seth Thomas Private Label pocket watch to be contracted for manufacture. If there was another private label pocket watch contracted by Seth Thomas before this one; there are no photographs of a movement, and no public documentation or recognition of it.
Companion, Tourist, and Traveler are marketing names for Seth Thomas Travel Timepieces.
Companion, Tourist, and Traveler (Marketing Names)
I have included the Companion, Tourist, and Traveler on the chart because they are variants that were named in the Seth Thomas Watch Company publications and advertisements. I believe that they deserve representation here as being variants, different from the general stock pocket watches in each of their respective models.
Anomalous Movement Markings
These movements are not signed with the Seth Thomas brand name, with a Private Label name, or with an engraved Rose or an Eagle. They are very rarely encountered and easily become misidentified by merchants, buyers, and watchmakers. The final example shown is a Seth Thomas Model 13 that has no movement markings and no serial number. It was sold by Lapp & Flershem as their private label “REX” pocket watch.
Unsigned and Unmarked Movements
Missing or Incomplete Serial Numbers
Serial numbers are an important tool for horologists to track individual pocket watches, production blocks, models, and at times other interesting or unique characteristics. When serial numbers are absent it complicates research and can cause miscommunication and misunderstanding. A prominent example in the Seth Thomas product line is in the 18-size Century Series movements produced prior to 1904. Seth Thomas Model 10 and Model 11 had no serial numbers on the top plates. Model 12 and Model 13 early production into 1904 also had no serial numbers, as reported in the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog published on October 1st of 1904. Which came first the Corona or the Colonial? It was probably the Century U.S.A. and then the Pan-American. All four were produced in Seth Thomas Model 10 and Model 11. The earliest known advertising of the Century Series occurred in the Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalogue. It would make sense that the first movements in the Old Century Series would be Century U.S.A. movements. Century U.S.A. and Pan-American were the first Seth Thomas movements to be advertised in the Sears, Roebuck, and Company Catalog.
The absence of serial numbers on Seth Thomas Model 10, Model 11, Model 12, and Model 13 is not anomalous. It was the standard practice of the manufacturer to omit serial numbers on these models; so in a sense they are not missing, they just don’t exist.
The Seth Thomas Fan Collection contains several examples of incomplete or missing serial numbers, and they are shown below with more complete information provided in the corresponding Photo Album sections.
Serial Number 700001 - 7 Jewels - Grade 36 - No Serial Number on Top Plate
This 1904 Seth Thomas open-face 18-size Model 8 pocket watch was manufactured with a nickel finished 3/4 plate, 7 jewels, and it is non-adjusted. The movement is stem-wound and lever set, with a Breguet hair spring, slotted hairspring stud, and plain/simple regulator. Its serial number is 700001, and its grade is Seth Thomas numbered grade 36. The movement is signed Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn. There is no serial number stamped on the top plate. This was the first (see explanation below) Seth Thomas New Eagle Model 8 pocket watch produced. Model 8 serial numbers started at 700001 and concluded at 2593000.
The movement presents with an 18-size Seth Thomas #1216 Roman dial with a ring minute track and black five-minute marginals, fitted with Seth Thomas #1281 blued spade hands 18-size.
The movement is cased in an 18-size open-face Wessell Metal (silver plated) pocket watch case with hinged back and bezel, serial number 209729. This appears to be the original case for the movement.
A single numeral “1” has been documented in three canonical control locations:
Internal factory numbers:
Back of the top plate between the plates, visible between the 35 and 40-minute position.
Underside of the balance bridge (the usual “last-five” spot).
Underside rim of the balance wheel (scribed).
On Old Eagle Model 6 and Model 7, the last-five digits were stamped beside the banking pins; where this Model 8 shows a numeral “1” in that same legacy location.
Later Model 8s moved the last-five digits stamp under the 3rd-wheel pivot
Most economical identification:
The Model 8 serial block begins at 700001.
With internal control “00001” (placeholders omitted “1”) and no conflicting marks, the simplest, evidence-conserving reading is that this movement is the first in the Model 8 block: 700001.
Winding-Bridge Construction as a Dating Tool
The winding-bridge on this movement is the clamp type, identical in structure to the ones used in Model 6, comparison example serial 597683 in this collection.
Seth Thomas shifted to a solid block winding bridge beginning somewhere between serial numbers 715597 and 731396.Movement Markings Are Consistent with Model 8 Style 1
There were three styles of standard movement markings used on Seth Thomas Model 8 pocket watches.
The standard movement markings on the open-face Model 8 movements started out exactly where open-face Model 6 left off, with the signature “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.” inscribed around the lower 180 degrees of the perimeter. The signature presents in some variation of an Old English Text font. The movement serial number is located to the left of center below the cutout for the balance wheel and “SAFETY PINION” is inscribed to the right of center below the cutout in a Serif Caps font. Serial number 783931 is the highest serial number utilizing this marking format for which photographic documentation is available on the Pocket Watch Database. Aside from this movement not having a serial number located to the left of center below the cutout for the balance wheel, or anywhere else, the movement markings on this movement are consistent with Model 8 Style 1.
Top Plate Reverse Surface – Observed Engraving Residuals
This image documents the reverse surface of the top plate removed from the unidentified early Seth Thomas Model 8 movement. The photograph was taken under raking illumination to reveal subsurface relief features.
The most notable anomaly is a faint, reversed impression of text corresponding to the front-side engravings (“Seth Thomas, Thomaston, Conn.” and the floral damaskeening pattern). These reverse impressions are characteristic of deeply cut, die-engraved plates and confirm that the top surface was engraved and damaskeened prior to final finishing.
More significantly, below the mainspring recess and slightly to the right of the plate’s center, there is a ghost marking consistent with a partially effaced “JEWELS” inscription. This marking does not appear on the front face of the plate and is not part of any known Model 8 production engraving pattern. According to ChatGPT its presence strongly suggests that the plate was initially machined or engraved using pre-standardized master dies that included jewel-count text, later polished away during rework or prototype refinement.
According to ChatGPT this evidence supports the hypothesis that the movement represents a toolroom or first-series prototype, bridging the late Model 6 production and the introduction of the Model 8 series. The combination of (1) missing serial number on the top plate, (2) early-style clamp-type winding bridge, and (3) residual engraving traces together point to an origin near the beginning of the Model 8 production block—possibly serial 700001, or the pre-serial pilot piece used for setup and inspection.
Serial # 1093404 - 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century - Wyoming Watch Co.
This 1904 Seth Thomas open-face 18-size Model 12 pocket watch was manufactured with a two-tone finished 3/4 plate, 7 jewels, and it is non-adjusted. The movement is stem wound and pendant set, with a flat hair spring and plain/simple regulator. Its serial number is 1093404, and its grade is Seth Thomas named grade Century. The private label movement is signed “Wyoming Watch Co. U.S.A.”. The serial number stamped on the top plate is missing the final digit. This was verified by examining the serial number shown on the pillar plate beneath the dial.
The movement presents with an 18-size private label "Wyoming" Roman dial with a ring minute track and black five-minute marginals; fitted with Seth Thomas #1281 blued spade hands 18-size.
The movement is temporarily cased in an 18-size Fahys Watch Case Company open-face Oresilver No. 1 (nickel) pocket watch case with a screw back and bezel, serial number 338512.
Roy Ehrhardt’s List of 116 Seth Thomas Private Labels
This is the list of one hundred sixteen (116) private label Seth Thomas pocket watches identified and described in “American Pocket Watches: Identification and Price Guide” Revised 1999, by Roy Ehrhardt & William “Bill” Meggers. Please feel free to print them out and look them up online and in the Ehrhardt & Meggers books if you have them. Used copies are readily available online.
In addition to these 116 private label Seth Thomas pocket watches, there are some other private labels identified within the list of private label pocket watches in the Seth Thomas Fan Collection. That list is shown below Roy Ehrhardt’s List of 116 Seth Thomas Private Labels.
1. M. J. Abbott
2. American Best – Siegel Bros
3. Anderson & Co – Ishpeming Mich
5. E. W. Bancroft – Litchfield Conn.
6. H. A. Belknap – St. Johnsbury
7. Bismark
8. Frank Borg – Heppner Oregon
9. J. H. Burk – Parkersburg W. Va.
10. Carral Bradshaw – Wooster
11. L. D. Burritt – Rochester NY
12. Buster & Loeche – Independence Or
14. Century - U.S.A.
15. Chautauqua – Seth Thomas
17. Corona Watch Co. – New York U.S.A.
18. Countess Janet
19. E. Rockwell Curtus – Chebanse Ill.
20. S. R. Curtis – Meridian Ohio
61. T. S. Mendenhall – Burr Oak Kans.
62. Metropolitan – Springfield Mass.
63. Oscar Mills – West Plains Mo
64. Monarch Watch Co. - U.S.A.
65. Montgomery Ward & Co – 20th Century
66. James Moore – Fremont Ohio
67. Louella J. Moore – Dennison Texas
68. C. A. Morse – Thomaston Conn.
69. The Motorman
70. Bernard Mueller – Rockland Mich.
71. Mund’s Special – Leadville Colo.
72. Elmo Neely – Shipshewana Ind.
73. The Newport – Newport Vt.
74. Olympia Special
75. Orleans Watch Co. – Orleans Neb.
76. Pan-American
77. The President
78. Providence
79. H. E. Raquet – Aurora Ill.
80. Railway Queen (Ball-Seth Thomas)
21. M. S. Danner – Tuskegu Ala.
22. Davis & Hawkins Special
23. Eagle
27. Engine Special
28. Otto H. Fasoldt – Albany NY
29. E. H. Fisher – Elyria & Lorain Ohio
31. Walter Grunert – Oconto Wis
32. Jos. H. Hall – Lowndesboro Ala
33. F. W. Hancock – Lansing Iowa
34. C. H. Haney – Belleville Kans
35. Ben F. Harless – Houston Tex
37. E. L. Heinrich – Watertown NY
38. Al E. Henry – Rockford Ill.
39. G. M. Higby – Parsons Institute
82. RR Special No 40 - Century U.S.A.
83. D. R. Rising – Lafayette Ind.
84. Republic U.S.A.
85. F. B. Rosenbloom & Bros.
86. Ed Salzman – Galveston Tex
87. T. W. Schmid – Vassar KY
88. C. E. Searl – Merrill Wis
90. L. H. Service – Ceres Cal.
91. I. E. Shaw – Elizabeth Ill.
92. M. R. Shingles – Crestline Ohio
93. Simanton’s Precision Watch
94. G. K. Smith – Goldsboro N.C.
95. L. B. Smith – Parkersburg Ia.
98. Ed Stutz – Kahoka Mo.
99. Chas. A. Sutiorius – Lawrence Kan.
100. N. W. Taylor – Delphos Ohio
41. Holler’s Watch Co – Brooklyn NY
42. Geo. Kehrer – Bucyrus Ohio
43. The King – Siegel Bros. Boston Mass.
44. Knickerbocker Watch Co – New York
45. The Lake Erie
46. Lake Shore
47. Lakeside – Chicago Ill.
49. F. C. Leonard – Menomanie Wis
50. Lever Brothers Ltd – New York
51. C. Liebenow & Son – Manitowoc Wis.
52. Arthur Linn – Mascoutah Ills.
53. L. D. Littlefield – Delavan Wis.
54. G. A. Lockwood & Son – Chariton Ia.
55. Locomotive Seth Thomas Dial 1
56. F. B. Logan – Royalton Minn.
57. Maiden Lane
58. J. A. Martin & Co. – Paris Tex.
59. G. W. Marvin
60. McElwain & Bowers – Creston Ia.
101. G. A. Thielke – Mayville Wis
102. Toronado Watch Co
103. Trainmens Special – Chicago Ill.
104. Tribune - U.S.A.
105. D. W. Van Cott – Omaha Neb.
106. D. C. Vanderhoof – Lodi Ohio
107. E. Van Sickle – Port Jarvis NY
108. Albert J. Vick – Waterloo Wis
109. H. A. Watrous – 25 Jewel
110. Chas. Whaley – Kahoka Mo.
111. J. M. Wilder – Huntington Tenn.
112. L. J. Wonder - 1900
114. Workingman’s Friend – Siegel Br
115. Wyoming Watch Co. - U.S.A.
116. Yale Watch Company
Private Label Pocket Watches in the Seth Thomas Fan Collection
This list also includes the four Seth Thomas Factory Named Grades because they are names that visitors to the site could find
on their pocket watches and need to find related information about.
2. A. S. Bleyer – Central City, Neb.
4. Banner
6. Bismark
7. John M. Bonnet Zanesville, Ohio.
8. J.M. Bostwick – Port Washington Wis
9. E.G. Bowyer ALGONA, IOWA, KOSSUTH
10. Brumer Bros. – Clinton, IA.
13. Century U.S.A.
14. Colonial
16. Corona Watch Co. – New York U.S.A.
18. Countess Janet
19. Bosill Couri
20. Cowell & Hubbard
41. Lever Brothers Ltd – New York
43. Liberty U.S.A.
44. Lincoln Special
47. John Luckenbach – Green Bay, Wis.
49. Mail Pouch
50. A. Michaal Green Bay, Wis.
51. Marshall & Bragg Rutland, VT.
52. Metropolitan – Springfield, Mass.
54. Montgomery Ward & Co – 20th Century
56. Olympia Special
57. Pan-American
58. Peer
59. Peerless
Seth Thomas Private Label & Named Grade Pocket Watches
*References
1. Bailey, Chris H.; Seth Thomas Watches 1885-1915; 1981; Published by American Clock & Watch Museum, Inc.; Printed by The Bond Press, Inc., Hartford CT 06106; ISBN 0-930476-09-3
1.a 1885 R. & L. Freidlander Jobbers In American Watches Illustrated Price List, 65 & 67 Nassau Street, New York NY
1.b 1890 Illustrated Catalogue of Seth Thomas Clocks No. 495
1.c 1892 Illustrated Catalogue of Seth Thomas Clocks No. 531
1.d 1890 & 1895 Illustrated Catalog of Tools Materials, Finding and Supplies, Lapp & Flershem, 98 State Street, Chicago IL
1.e 1895 Illustrated Catalog of Tools Materials, Finding and Supplies, Lapp & Flershem, 98 State Street, Chicago IL
1.f 1896 Illustrated Catalog of Watches, A. C. Becken, 103 State Street, Chicago IL
1.g 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog No. 650
1.h 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Illustrated Price List No. 671
1.i 1905 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List September 15, 1905
1.j 1908 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List September 1, 1908
1.k 1909 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List October 1, 1909
1.l 1913 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List Centennial Edition September 1, 1913
1.m 1914 Seth Thomas Clock Company Supplement No. 705 to Catalog No. 700 Illustrated Price List September 1, 1908
1.n Catalog of Seth Thomas Watch Models and Grades, compiled by Daniel J. Gaenger
1.o Seth Thomas’ Watches: Thirty Years of Manufacture, by Chris H. Bailey
1.p United States Patents granted to Herman A. T. Reinecke and Charles T. Higginbotham for watch features utilized by the Seth Thomas Company
2. Criss, David; Collectors Price Guide to American Pocket Watches 1976 Edition; 1976
3. Criss, David; Collectors Price Guide to American Pocket Watches 4th Edition; 1980
4. Ehrhardt, Roy; Trade Marks, Watch Cases, Pocket Watches, Precious Stones, Diamonds; 1976; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784
5. Ehrhardt, Roy; Foreign and American Pocket Watch Identification and Price Guide; 1976; Printed by Heart of America Press, P.O. Box 9808, Kansas City, MO 64134
6. Ehrhardt, Roy; Pocket Watch 1976 Price Indicator Identification and Price Guide; 1976; Printed by Heart of America Press, P.O. Box 9808, Kansas City, MO 64134
7. Ehrhardt, Roy; Pocket Watch 1977 Price Indicator Identification and Price Guide; 1977; Printed by Heart of America Press, P.O. Box 9808, Kansas City, MO 64134
8. Ehrhardt, Roy; Pocket Watch 1978 Price Indicator Identification and Price Guide; 1978; Printed by Heart of America Press, P.O. Box 9808, Kansas City, MO 64134
9. Ehrhardt, Roy; Pocket Watch 1979 Price Indicator Identification and Price Guide; 1979; Printed by Heart of America Press, P.O. Box 9808, Kansas City, MO 64134
10. Ehrhardt, Roy; Pocket Watch 1980 Price Indicator Identification and Price Guide; 1976; Printed by Heart of America Press, P.O. Box 9808, Kansas City, MO 64134
11. Ehrhardt, Roy and Meggers, William “Bill”; Encyclopedia and Price Guide to American Pocket Watches; 1982; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 0-913902-33-0
12. Ehrhardt, Roy; American Pocket Watches – Price Guide; 1972; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 09-13902-53-5
13. Ehrhardt, Roy; American Pocket Watches – Identification and Price Guide; 1974; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 09-13902-53-5
14. Ehrhardt, Roy and Meggers, William “Bill”; American Pocket Watches – Identification and Price Guide Beginning to End 1830-1990; 1990; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 09-13902-53-5
15. Ehrhardt, Roy and Meggers, William “Bill”; American Pocket Watches – Identification and Price Guide Beginning to End 1830-1999; 1999; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 0-913902-53-5
16. Ehrhardt, Roy and Meggers, William “Bill”; Vintage American Pocket Watches – Identification and Price Guide Beginning to End 1830-2009; 2009; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 978-0-615-23255-3
17. Ehrhardt, Roy and Meggers, William “Bill”; American Pocket Watches – Serial Number Grade Book, 1993 Prices; 1993; Printed by Heart of America Press, Umatilla Florida 32784; ISBN: 09-13902-79-9
18. Field & Company, Marshall; 1896 Illustrated Catalogue of Jewelry & Fashion; 1896; Adams, Quincy, Franklin, 5th Avenue, Chicago
19. Holsman & Alter; Holsman & Alter Catalog; Unknown Date; 179 Madison Street, Chicago Illinois
20. Lapp & Flershem, The Busiest House in America – 1889 Illustrated Catalogue; 1889; Chicago Illinois, USA
21. Montgomery Ward & Company; Catalogue No. 57; Spring & Summer; 1895; Chicago Illinois, USA
22. National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors
22.a The Railroader’s Corner – A Forum for the Discussion of Railroad Pocket Watches; Standard Watches of the Seth Thomas Clock Company; December 1998; National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
23. Oskamp, Nolting & Co.; The Great American Jewelry Catalog; 1905; Cincinnati Ohio
24. Pocket Watch Database
25. Roddin & Company, E. V.; Jewelry, Watches, and Silverware; 1895; The American Historical Catalog Collection
26. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Consumer’s Guide for 1894; 1894; Chicago Illinois, USA
27. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 110; 1900; Chicago Illinois, USA
28. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 111; 1902; Chicago Illinois, USA
29. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 115; 1905; Chicago Illinois, USA
30. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 121; 1910; Chicago Illinois, USA
31. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 123; 1911; Chicago Illinois, USA
32. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 125; 1912; Chicago Illinois, USA
33. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Catalogue No. 127; 1913; Chicago Illinois, USA
34. Sears, Roebuck & Company; Compiled Catalogue; 1905-1910; Chicago Illinois, USA
35. Seth Thomas Clock Company; Seth Thomas Clocks No. 531;1892-1893; 49 Maiden Lane, New York New York.
36. Seth Thomas Clock Company; Seth Thomas Clocks No. 675;1909-1910; 15 Maiden Lane, New York New York.
37. Seth Thomas Clock Company; Seth Thomas Clocks No. 675;1909-1910; 15 Maiden Lane, New York New York.
38. Shugart, Cooksey; Complete Price Guide to American Pocket Watches – First Edition; 1981; Published by Overstreet Pulications, Inc. 780 Hunt Cliff Dr. N.W., Cleveland TN 37311; ISBN: 0-517-543788
39. Shugart, Cooksey; Gilbert, Richard; Engle, Tom; Complete Price Guide to Watches - 2012; Published by Tinderbox Press; ISBN: 978-0-9829487-1-2
40. Shure Company, N.; The Shure Winner Pricelist; 1909; Chicago Illinois
41. Smyth & Company, John, M.; Dictionary of Economy - No. 62; 1909; Chicago Illinois
42. Young & Company; Catalogue of Watches – Illustrated & Priced;1911; Chicago Illinois USA