The United States Watch Co. was chartered in 1865, and the
factory building was started in August 1865 and was complete
in 1866.  The first watch, called the "Frederic Atherton",
was not put on the market until July 1867.  It was America's
first mass production stem winding watch.  This first grade
was 18 size, 19j, full plate and gilt finished movement.
A distinctive feature of the company's full plate movements
was the butterfly shaped patented opening in the plate
which allowed escapement inspection.  That same year a
second grade called the "Fayette Stratton was introduced.
It was also a gilt finish, full plate movement.

Most of these were 15 jeweled, but some of the very early
examples have been noted in 17 jeweled.  In 1868 the
"George Channing," "Edwin Rolo," and "Marion Watch Co."
grades were introduced.  All were  18 size, 15j, full
plated movements in a gilt finish.  In Feb. 1869 the gilt
version of the "United States Watch Co." grade was
introduced.  It was 18 size, 19 jeweled, full plate and the
company's first entry into the prestige market.  Later that
year the company introduced their first nickel grade, a 19
jeweled, size 18, full plate movement called the "A. H.
Wallis".  About this same time, Dec 1869, they introduced
America's most expensive watch, the first nickel, 19 jeweled,
18 size, full plate "United States Watch Co." grade.
Depending on the case weight, these  prestige watches
retailed between $500 & $600, more than the average man
earned in a year at that time.  The company also introduced
damaskeening to the American market: first on gilt movements
and later on the nickel grades.  The United States and
Wallis 19 jeweled prestige grades were beautifully finished
with richly enameled engraving including a variety of unique
designs on the balance cock.  It is significant to note that
no solid gold trains have been seen with these prestige items
in the extant examples presently known.

In 1870 the company introduced their first watch for ladies,
a 10 size, 15 jeweled, plate, cock & bridge movement which was
made to their specifications in Switzerland.  This model was
first introduced in two grades, the "R. F. Pratt" and "Chas.
G. Knapp," both in a 15 jeweled, gilt movement.  Later it was
offered in a high grade, 19 jeweled "I. H. Wright" nickel
finished movement.  During 1870 and 1871 several other full
plate grades in both gilt and nickel finish were introduced.
In 1871 development on a new line of full plate, 3/4 plate
and plate & Bridge was started but not introduced to the
market until late in 1872 and early in 1873.  The 10 size and
16 size new grades in plate and bridge were probably delayed
well into 1873 and were not available long before the "Panic
of 1873" started in Sept., this explains their relative
scarcity. 

By July 1874 the " Panic" had taken its toll and it was
necessary for the company to reorganize as the Marion Watch
Co., a name formerly used or one of their grades.  At this
time jewel count, finish standards, and prices were lowered
on the full plate  older grades, but this proved to be a
mistake.  That same year they introduced a cased watch
called the "North Star", their cheapest watch at $15 retail.

The year of 1875 hit the watch industry the hardest: price
cutting was predatory and the higher priced watches of the
United States Watch Co. were particularly vulnerable.
Further lowering of the finish standards and prices did not
help and in 1876 the company was one again reorganized into
the Empire City Watch Co. and their products were displayed
at the Centennial that year.  The Centennial Exhibition was
not enough to save the faltering company and they finally
closed their doors in 1877.  The Howard brothers of Fredonia,
New York (Independent and Fredonia Watch Co.) purchased most
of the remaining movement stock and machinery.  In the ten
year period of movement production, current statistical
studies indicate an estimated production of only some 60,000
watches, much smaller then the deduced from the serial
numbers assigned up to as high as 289,000. 

Tim Sweet
TIMEKEEPR2@AOL.COM
M.O.S.T (MY OWN SWEET TIME) WATCH COMPANY.
14002 Tuckey Lane
El Paso, Tx, 79927
(915) 852-2409  (See my add in the MART)

Requests and comments welcome
enjoy