I purchased a New York Watch Co.,Chester Woolworth 18 sz, KW/KS, OF, [11 or 15 j, (Have not removed dial yet)], S/N 17965 from a local jeweler.

This watch is in a silver case that is a bit of a mystery. It looks to be orginal to the watch. The case has no makers marks, however it does have the following marking where the makers marks would normally be- A.C.MARGOT, Port Jervis, N.Y. 13313-. This happens to be the city where I was born and is only 7 miles from where I now reside.

My question is did case manufactures make private label cases or plain cases that a jeweler could could label as he desired. This would be the period around 1870 - 1880.
Following are photos of watch and case.

Thanks
Doug

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There was a J. F. Courvoisier, who made cases in Philadelphia, worked at the Fortenbach factory in Carlstadt, NJ, and made cases at several other locations. He ultimately established a case factory at Port Jervis, NY, so there is at least record of case making there. From what little info I have, there were Margot Bros. case makers in NY City. That hardly completes a full story, but from the scraps, the case may have been made at Port Jervis.

Sounds like you are well situated to do some research and help inform us. There may not be a pile of information on this one.

Mike

Mike

Thanks for the info. I hope to get over to P.J. within the next 2 weeks. Will let you know what I find out.

Doug