Internet Horology Club 185
Here is a private label watch that I need info on if available
December 07, 2008, 16:04
Jerry KingHere is a private label watch that I need info on if available
This a 0size 14K gold ladies watch that is age placed by it's monogram as being at Christmas 1905. I have had the watch a couple of years but really know very little about the watch.
Serial number is 1661071 in case you can't make it out of the photos.
It has Mermod, Jaccard & King on the face and it is a 15 jewel movement. Also has Constant,St.Louis / New York on the movement.
Can anyone tell me the maker of the watch by looking at the movement.
Thanks to all....
Regards,
Jerry
December 07, 2008, 16:05
Jerry KingFront & Rear of the case
December 07, 2008, 16:06
Jerry KingMovement#1
December 07, 2008, 16:07
Jerry Kingmovement #2
December 07, 2008, 16:08
Jerry KingInside rear cover
December 07, 2008, 16:09
Jerry Kingrear view
December 07, 2008, 16:11
Jerry KingA better view
December 07, 2008, 16:13
Jerry KingFace #2
December 07, 2008, 17:48
Lindell V. Riddle
Wow Jerry, look at that crisp design!
This is about as good as a private label gets
even the case is signed with the retailer's name.
Very, very nice... sorry I cannot help much with the movement and I may be wrong but it has a high grade Swiss look about it from what I am seeing. Let's find out what others say about that.
Thanks for sharing this very special Christmas watch from long ago.
Lindell

December 07, 2008, 18:00
Chris Abellquote:
Mermod, Jaccard & King
Mermod Jaccard King Jewelry Co. of St. Louis, Missouri from 1829 but King was added in1905
Bottom of the 2nd page
MJ&CDecember 07, 2008, 18:21
Jerry KingThis is the view that dates the watch to 1905
December 08, 2008, 06:21
Sheila GilbertYou can see a large selection of Mermod, Jaccard & King Watches on Elgin's site under Private Label watches. see the link.
http://elginwatches.org/databases/PL_names.htmlAlso, quite often a watch marked with a date, doesn't necessarily mean it's the date made, but you can almost bet that it's pretty close.
I wish I knew who made the movement, it's got great damaskeening.
Very nice watch!
Thank you for sharing it.
Sheila
December 10, 2008, 14:06
Jerry KingWell I finally removed the movement from the case and lo & behold, within the movement was one word....SWISS

so we know it is a 15 jewel swiss movement.
Doesn't say who but at least we now know that the movement is swiss as Lindell suggested and I have no idea how to go about finding out that bit of info. Maybe someone in the club has an idea of how to do it. We will see.
A little more light is shed but the plot also thickens....

Regards,
Jerry
December 10, 2008, 16:31
John "cranster" McElhennyThat screams Longines to me (Sam not John posting this) and the serial number puts it at 1905 on Longines serial number chart!
December 10, 2008, 16:39
Jerry KingHello Sammy,
You may have it nailed....

Unless someone comes up with anything more definitively....
Thanks for the info.
Jerry
December 10, 2008, 17:00
Sheila GilbertBOY!!!! If you want to know all about this company, and especially the men who started it all, check out this site.
It's all here
There is more than one so read.
I must also add that some of their watches could very well be American made. They manufactured watches too!!!
They have a long history with swiss watches, and also Paris!
http://www.looktothepast.com/jacksonbios06.html
Sheila
December 10, 2008, 18:08
Lindell V. Riddle
Without question Mermod, Jaccard & King was a very high grade "manufacturing jeweler" which means they made custom jewelry, some on site and some to special order. You are right Sheila, many of the watches they sold were domestically produced and private labeled for them just as were the Swiss examples such as this one. Thanks to Sam for nailing it down, as I said earlier a private label watch does not get much better than this one, Jerry now has the previously missing information to complete the story.
"Longines, the World's Most Honored Watch" ...was their slogan for many, many years.

December 10, 2008, 20:17
Sheila GilbertWay to go Sam! I knew it was Swiss, but I don't know them very well. Wish I had your eye.
I had remembered that the private label name was on a lot of watches, like Elgin, Rockford, and another one, but since I don't know much about Swiss watches, I was at a loss.
Well, this post got me some great information on the company, that's for sure.
Great Post! Thanks everyone!
Sheila
December 10, 2008, 20:42
Jerry KingWOW !!

You guys are something else....I have been looking off and on for over a year without much headway. I had pretty much ruled out Elgin or Waltham but I never wanted to remove the movement from the case,not with my thick bumbly fingers, but when I did it was obvious as everyone else suspected.
Then Sammy nailed the maker and Sheila provided some very informative info along with Lindell, boy we sure have an encyclopedic membership....
Thanks, EVERONE !! I really appreciate your efforts.
All, Be Well....

Jerry
December 10, 2008, 22:35
Steve GossardHere is a private label Longenes for comparison, but mine is a 16 size. The bridge construction is very similar, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. This was made for William Homuth, of Bloomington, Illinois.
December 10, 2008, 22:36
Steve GossardDial side:
December 10, 2008, 22:47
Steve GossardThis watch is specific in more ways than one. It is dated inside the back cover (I feel sure the case is original because it is thinner than an ordinary 16s) 1917. Difficult to read in this photo, but consistent with the chart above, which provides a production date of 1912. I think it is reasonable to assume the five years for finishing, distribution, export and sale. It looks very similar to your smaller watch.
December 10, 2008, 23:02
Steve GossardBy the way, it is specifically marked "Longenes swiss" and the serial number is 2778496.
December 12, 2008, 17:24
Jerry KingNice Private Label, Steve....
Thanks for showing your watch here on IHC185. Some of the Private Label watches can be a challenge in identification.
Thanks for the info....
Regards,
Jerry