Seth Thomas Private Label & Named Grade Pocket Watches

EA 814A – Sentinel U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1740292 – 7 Jewels

EA 822 – Sentinel U.S.A.  – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial Number 3256317 – 7 Jewels

Sentinel U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13. and 6-size Model 18.

Sentinel U.S.A.

EA 813C – Sentinel U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1197564 – 7 Jewels (Marked 19)

Special Motor Service is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size hunting Model 5.

Special Motor Service

EA 810 – Special Motor Service – 18-size – Model 5 – Serial Number 204503 – 17 Jewels

EA 813C – Stratford U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1205238 – 7 Jewels

EA 821 – Stratford U.S.A. – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial Number 980589 – 7 Jewels

Stratford U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 6-size hunting Model 18 and Seth Thomas 6-size open-face Model 24.

Stratford U.S.A.

EA 813C – Stratford U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1153777 – 7 Jewels

EA 814A – Tornado Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 13– Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

Tornado Watch Co. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13.

Toronado Watch Co.

EA 813C – Tornado Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 12– Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

EA 813C – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number TRAINMENS12A – 7 Jewels (Marked as 23)

EA 813C – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number TRAINMENS12B – 7 Jewels (Marked as 17)

EA 814A – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number TRAINMENS13A – 7 Jewels (Marked as17)

Trainmens Special is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size open-face Model 12 and Seth Thomas 18-size hunting Model 13 manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Company for sale in their catalog. You can see the Trainmens Special advertisement in the lower right-hand corner of the Sears Catalog page shown below.

Trainmens Special

EA 813C – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1010272 – 7 Jewels (Marked as 23)

In the Sears, Roebuck & Company 1904 Spring Catalog No 113Y the 18-size 7-Jewel open-face Model 12 Edgemere, the 17-Jewel Model 9 Edgemere, the 12-Jewel open-face Model 8 Edgemere pocket watch movements, and the 7-Jewel Model 12 private label trading watch Trainmens Special manufactured by Seth Thomas debuted.

EA 814A – Tribune – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

Tribune is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-sizeModel 12 and Model 13.

Tribune

EA 813C – Tribune – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

EA 821 – Waldorf U.S.A. – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial Number 4010508 – 15 Jewels

EA 821 – Waldorf U.S.A. – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial Number 4010986 – 15 Jewels

EA 822 – Waldorf U.S.A.  – 6-size – Model 24 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

Waldorf U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 6-size hunting Model 18 and Seth Thomas 6-size open-face Model 24 manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Company for sale in their catalog. You can see the advertisements for the Model 18 Waldorf and the Model 24 Waldorf on each of the Sears Catalog pages shown below in the lower right-hand corner of each page.

Waldorf U.S.A.

EA 821 – Waldorf U.S.A. – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial Number 4004713 – 15 Jewels

In the Sears, Roebuck & Company 1910 Fall Catalog No 121V the 6-size 7-Jewel open-face Model 24 Waldorf U.S.A. and the 6-size hunting Model 18 Waldorf U.S.A. pocket watches manufactured by Seth Thomas debuted. They can each be seen in the lower right hand corner of their respective pages.

Above is a drawing of the 6-size open-face Waldorf U.S.A. movement advertised in the Sears, Roebuck & Company catalog on page 811.

Fall 1910 - Butler Brothers Catalog - Number 821

The Fall 1910 Catalog Number 821, Butler Brothers’ “Book of Profits” contained advertisements for three product lines that Seth Thomas produced pocket watch movements for, Century U.S. A. in 18-size, Republic U.S.A. in 18-size and 6-size; and Waldorf U.S.A. in a 6-size movement with a 12-size dial and case, often referred to as a 12X6 and sold as a compact 12-size watch.

Workingman’s Friend is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size open-face Model 5, manufactured for Siegel Brothers Jewelers in Boston Massachusetts U.S.A. 

In his “1980 Price Indicator” Roy Ehrhardt illustrated that the Siegel Bros. commissioned Seth Thomas to produce three different private label pocket watch lines with their name marked on the movements.  The photos in this posting are of my recently acquired example of “The King”.  Illustrations from the “1980 Price Indicator” of Siegel Bros. “The King”, “American Best” and “Workingman’s Friend” are also included in this post.

The 1908 Boston Massachusetts City Directory identifies Eli and George Siegel as the “Siegel Bros.” jewelers at 387 Washington Street in Boston.  Their business is also identified as Washington Jewelry Co. in other period documents.

Workingman’s Friend

EA 810 – Workingman’s Friend – 18-size – Model 5 – Serial Number X – 17 Jewels

EA 814A –Wyoming Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1718018 – 7 Jewels

Wyoming Watch Co. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13.

Wyoming Watch Co.

EA 813C –Wyoming Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

EA 812 – Yale Watch Co New Haven U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 7 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels

Yale Watch Co New Haven U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 6 and Model 7.

Yale Watch Co New Haven U.S.A.

EA 811 – Yale Watch Co New Haven U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 6 – Serial Number 523268 – 7 Jewels

EA 811A – Companion – 18-size – Model 8 – Serial Number 802346 – 7 Jewels

Companion, Tourist, and Traveler are marketing names for Seth Thomas Travel Timepieces.

Companion, Tourist, and Traveler (Marketing Names)

EA 811 – Companion – 18-size – Model 6 – Serial Number 599805 – 7 Jewels

EA 811 – Companion – 8-size – Model 6 – Serial Number 599805 – 7 Jewels

EA 813C – REX – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1028872 – 7 Jewels

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.

Unsigned and Unmarked Movements

EA 811 – Companion – 8-size – Model 6 – Serial Number 597683 – 7 Jewels

Notes:

This is the list of one hundred fifteen (115) 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.

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