Internet Horology Club 185
20th Century watch case company

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/307104103

June 16, 2010, 12:01
Claude Griffith
20th Century watch case company
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.
June 16, 2010, 13:32
Edward L. Parsons, Jr.
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


June 17, 2010, 19:38
Theodore J. Brown Sr.
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.
June 17, 2010, 21:02
Mary Ann Scott
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
June 17, 2010, 21:49
Claude Griffith
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.
June 18, 2010, 13:47
David Abbe
I have a couple Seth Thomas signed Montgomery Wards, 20th Century
June 19, 2010, 09:09
John Scott
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
June 21, 2010, 23:13
Eric Unselt
My unflinching Hamilton 940 occupies a 20th Century case.


June 21, 2010, 23:14
Eric Unselt
And the trademark:


June 22, 2010, 14:37
Claude Griffith
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