Interstatetime Watch of the Month July 2002 - Montgomery Ward Private Labels

ILLINOIS WATCH CO., SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

Private Labels for Montgomery Ward

18 Size, 24 Jewel, Bunn Special Grade, Open Face

It is common knowledge that the WebMaster (that would be me) at interstatetime is a sucker for private labels. Ever since hearing the late Bill Meggers lecture on Illinois watches made for Montgomery Ward many years ago, these watches have become some of my favorites. It was, therefore, hard to resist making these two beautiful examples Watch of the Month.

According to Bill, these two watches represent two different eras of Montgomery Ward marketing. The company advertised watches marked "Montgomery Ward" from about 1895 through 1901, and then in 1902, began marketing a variety of watches marked "Washington Watch Company". Perhaps they thought this lent a little class to the line. At any rate, the 2 watches featured here, represent the top of the line in 18 size watches marketed by the company. They are both Bunn Special grade, the difference being that the later, "Lafayette" is a double roller movement. Both of these watches can also be found in hunter versions.

Period advertisements tell us that the 24 jewel special sold for $30 without a case. After railroad regulations prohibited the use of private labels as "standard watches" it probably became harder for Wards to sell their higher grade watches. There are ads from the teens which show the 24 jewel Lafayette grade being blown out for the low, low price of $29.45 in a 25 year case (Oh, to have been around with a few extra bucks in those days!)

I would like to thank interstatetime friend and fellow private label buff, Jerry Barko for letting me take pix of his beautiful pair of "Monkey Ward" watches.

You may have noticed that I have used a camera, instead of the scanner for the pictures of these movements. Washington Watch company movements, with their characteristic mirror like stripes, are some of the most difficult watches to photograph that I have ever encountered. They just seem to turn black on the scanner, so these movements were photographed with my trusty Nikon CoolPix and the dials were scanned.

If you have an interesting American pocket watch you would like to submit as Interstatetime Watch of the Month......

SEND ME AN E-MAIL.


	THIS IS THE JULY, 2002 interstatetime.com "WATCH OF THE MONTH" THIS PAGE COULD FEATURE YOUR WATCH!!! Every month we will pick a watch, submitted by one of our viewers, to be "Watch of the Month". "Watch of the Month" submissions should be a vintage or antique American pocket watch. They don't have to be rare or expensive, just interesting (this should give you lots of options). If you have a watch you would like to submit CLICK HERE to go to the "submission rules" page. THESE WATCHES ARE NOT FOR SALE! GO BACK TO OUR HOME PAGE OR TO THE WATCH OF THE MONTH ARCHIVES
	CLICK ANY PART OF THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE A DETAIL ENLARGEMENT

	ILLINOIS WATCH CO., SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS Private Labels for Montgomery Ward 18 Size, 24 Jewel, Bunn Special Grade, Open Face It is common knowledge that the WebMaster (that would be me) at interstatetime is a sucker for private labels. Ever since hearing the late Bill Meggers lecture on Illinois watches made for Montgomery Ward many years ago, these watches have become some of my favorites. It was, therefore, hard to resist making these two beautiful examples Watch of the Month. According to Bill, these two watches represent two different eras of Montgomery Ward marketing. The company advertised watches marked "Montgomery Ward" from about 1895 through 1901, and then in 1902, began marketing a variety of watches marked "Washington Watch Company". Perhaps they thought this lent a little class to the line. At any rate, the 2 watches featured here, represent the top of the line in 18 size watches marketed by the company. They are both Bunn Special grade, the difference being that the later, "Lafayette" is a double roller movement. Both of these watches can also be found in hunter versions. Period advertisements tell us that the 24 jewel special sold for $30 without a case. After railroad regulations prohibited the use of private labels as "standard watches" it probably became harder for Wards to sell their higher grade watches. There are ads from the teens which show the 24 jewel Lafayette grade being blown out for the low, low price of $29.45 in a 25 year case (Oh, to have been around with a few extra bucks in those days!) I would like to thank interstatetime friend and fellow private label buff, Jerry Barko for letting me take pix of his beautiful pair of "Monkey Ward" watches. You may have noticed that I have used a camera, instead of the scanner for the pictures of these movements. Washington Watch company movements, with their characteristic mirror like stripes, are some of the most difficult watches to photograph that I have ever encountered. They just seem to turn black on the scanner, so these movements were photographed with my trusty Nikon CoolPix and the dials were scanned. If you have an interesting American pocket watch you would like to submit as Interstatetime Watch of the Month...... SEND ME AN E-MAIL.