Internet Horology Club 185
Marion Watch Company, Marion, New Jersey

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/9203915297

March 03, 2019, 14:01
Fred Orr
Marion Watch Company, Marion, New Jersey
Aloha, I have a United States Watch company watch, 18 size, KWKS, gilt, 11 jewels, serial number , 132662, in an original silver OF case, marked "Lafayette Journal", compensating balance. I would like to know if any other Marions with this annotation have surfaced as the Ehrhardt, Hanson Marion Watches book indicates that no watches in this serial number run are known to exist at the time of that printing, I have not been able to find that marking in any other serial number runs either.
Thank you in advance for any replies, mahalo, Fred
March 08, 2019, 22:27
Kevin Hoffman
Fred , I did a look and there is little info , are you able to share a picture , send on to me at hoffmanhomekevin@gmail.com , and I will post it , if that helps
March 09, 2019, 09:11
Nathan Moore
Fred -

The publication Marion: A History of The United States Watch Company by Muir and Kraus estimates three runs of J.W. Deacon movements in proximity of your serial number:

130251-131275 [18s, 11j, Giles Patent]
132751-132800 [18s, 15j, Giles Patent]
133451-134150 [18s, 11j, Giles Patent]

It is reasonable to suggest your private label would be classified as a J.W. Deacon grade.

The authors also note that the United States Watch Company produced special order movements for a variety of businesses in the newspaper trade. However, there is no direct mention of "Lafayette Journal" in the examples provided.
March 22, 2019, 01:11
Fred Orr
Aloha, thank you very much for the responses. I very much appreciate the information. This watch is indeed an 11 jewel Deacon. I have not been able to find anyone who has seen the name of this newspaper on a Marion yet so I am suspicious that there were not many so marked. I will try to get a photo up shortly. But, mahalo, once again for the replies.