I picked up a hunter cased Elgin 290 7j and the case was dirty as heck but one cleaned up it is a very very nice green gold hunter case with little wear, the intricate lines and embossing are still vibrant but I have never heard of the case company before. It is marked 20th Century w.c.co guaranteed 20 yrs. The Elgin 290 is pendant set but the case itself has a lever set relief on the ring and bezel that appears to be from the factory. Has anyone seen cases from this company before and have some insight about the company? I searched but turned up nothing.

I've only heard that name used to describe a type of case, Ball Watch Co.'s Twentieth Century Ball Model case, but never before as the name of a watch company.


Ball's Twentieth Century Case

Hey Claude, That's yet another watch case company that I've never heard of either.These new case names keep turning up all the time, another reason for a database of casemaker names, I think there must be as many case names as Illinois had for movement names!...Ted.

Claude - I don't know for sure if this is related to your case, but I found this reference on a German database of watch makers/case makers marks:

20th Century / Wards Seth Thomas Watch Co. Seth Thomas Watch Co. Großuhren / Kleinuhren; Thomaston, Conneticut, USA; 1883-1915 Clocks / watches, Thomaston, Connecticut, United States, 1883-1915

There was no picture of the mark, but this might give you a starting point.

Here is the link to the database. It is the 5th entry on the page. If it doesn't load right, click on the asterisk mark ( * ) where the letters of the alphabet are at the top.

fficial%26channel%3Ds" target="_blank">Watch/Case Maker Marks

Someone else mentioned Seth Thomas had a 20th Century watch model. Since I don't collect Seth pocket watches I don't know if that is correct or not.

I have a couple Seth Thomas signed Montgomery Wards, 20th Century

Referring to the photograph, above, the case shown is actually the Safety Bow case used for the 20th Century Model Ball watch. There was a plain antique bow case that was also used for the 20th Century Model Ball watch.
JBS

My unflinching Hamilton 940 occupies a 20th Century case.

And the trademark:

Eric that is the identical labeling that my watch case has even the guarantee period is the same. At least I know others exist, I have never seen any mention or any examples of this company before.

Thanks

Finally took some pictures



Inner cover