watch factories in america
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11-06-2009 04:13 PM #1 Moderator WTF Veteran Watch Factories In America The first is the Waltham plant - Feel free to add to these if you can - This is the Elgin factory - 1. And the sad remains of one of the two old Benrus plants - BENRUS - Official Watch Of Famous Airlines I'm not sure, but I don't think the Swiss factories are or were anywhere near the size of these. Is that true?TRANSCRIPT
1. 11-06-2009 04:13 PM #1
Ham X Guy
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Watch Factories In America
There was a time when watchmaking was an important and very large business here in America. These factories were tremendous and they employed thousands
of skilled and non-skilled workers. I was stunned by just how big and ornate some of them actually were when I saw them, so I thought I would post a few pics of them here.
Feel free to add to these if you can -
The first is the Waltham plant -
This is the Elgin factory -
And the sad remains of one of the two old Benrus plants -
I'm not sure, but I don't think the Swiss factories are or were anywhere near the size of these. Is that true?
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2. 11-06-2009 04:47 PM #2
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At the rate Rolex cranks them out, just might be.
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3. 11-06-2009 09:35 PM #3
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by Ham X Guy
By-the-way, I want that Benrus sign! That would go very nicely with my collection...
That picture was taken not to many years ago and Benrus has been out-of-business since the early 70's. I really can't believe it hasn't been stolen in those 30
something years!
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4. 11-07-2009 06:14 PM #4
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Originally Posted by Ham X Guy
By-the-way, I want that Benrus sign! That would go very nicely with my collection...
Lol! That was the first thing that entered my mind, when I saw that sign! I knew you'd want it
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5. 11-08-2009 07:33 AM #5
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by bio
Lol! That was the first thing that entered my mind, when I saw that sign! I knew you'd want it
Yes, my wife would love to see that hanging on our bedroom wall overlooking my collection!
Here's a pic of another great ornate factory that played an important role in American clock and watchmaking, aptly named, the United States Watch Company
located in New Jersey. I believe this company would become Timex eventually. I love this period of architecture -
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6. 11-09-2009 12:26 PM #6
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Is that Benrus factory in Ridgefield, CT?
Originally Posted by Ham X Guy
By-the-way, I want that Benrus sign! That would go very nicely with my collection... That picture was taken not to many years ago and Benrus has been out-of-business since the early 70's. I really can't believe it hasn't been stolen in those 30
something years!
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7. 11-09-2009 03:07 PM #7
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by revlimitbounce
Is that Benrus factory in Ridgefield, CT?
There were two in Ct., I think one was in Waterbury and the other in Ridgefield and this is the one in Ridgefield.
Do you know the place? I believe that Timex used this factory to manufacture their cases and then Benrus took it over at some period and used it as their case-making factory. Pretty
interesting, eh?
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8. 11-09-2009 08:12 PM #8
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Originally Posted by Ham X Guy
Feel free to add to these if you can
Pictures from http://www.electric-watches.co.uk/ma...ry/factory.php
Hamilton's Factory - Then:
And now:
Yes, the factory has been renovated and made into lofts.
Enjoy, gatorcpa
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9. 11-10-2009 04:52 AM #9
Ham X Guy
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^And how could we forget the famous Hamilton factory! ^
Beautiful architecture on that place. I love that factory. It has to be one of the only original's still left standing. It's amazing they didn't take the wrecking ball to
that place to.
That's a place that any true WIS would love to live!
Thanks for adding it to the list gator...
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10. 11-10-2009 09:06 AM #10
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This is a good thread .. i like this very much. Just being curious, if anybody can update me with any (more) watch factories that are still in operation in USA ?
many thanks Pete J
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1. 11-10-2009 02:54 PM #11
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by Pete J
This is a good thread .. i like this very much. Just being curious, if anybody can update me with any (more) watch factories that are still in operation in USA ? many thanks Pete J
Glad you like the thread Pete!
To answer your question...none!
There are actually a couple of small boutique watchmakers still here, but nothing that is nearly the size of what I've posted here. These factories were huge as you can see, and employed thousands of people and sold millions of watches.
If you go to the top of the American Watch Forum page, you'll see the banner for RGM watches, which is an American watchmaker trying to buck the trend. Gorgeous watches!
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2. 11-11-2009 11:39 AM #12
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No, but I grew up in Easton and Redding and will look for it next time I'm up there.
Speaking of dead factories, there used to be an old Walpole Fence Company factory on the border of Redding and maybe Ridgefield or Wilton. Was to the East of where Bob Sharp Motors (Datsun, then Nissan) is/was. One big scene from a Danny DeVito movie (Other People's Money?) was filmed there.
There's something about abandoned factories/hangars/military bases that fires up the photog in me.
Originally Posted by Ham X Guy
There were two in Ct., I think one was in Waterbury and the other in Ridgefield and this is the one in Ridgefield. Do you know the place? I believe that Timex used this factory to manufacture their cases and then Benrus took it over at some period and used it as their case-making factory. Pretty
interesting, eh?
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3. 11-11-2009 03:21 PM #13
Ham X Guy
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Here is the Waterbury Clock Co. factory in...where else, Waterbury Ct.. It was a huge factory in it's day and at it's peak put out an astounding 20,000 clocks and
watches per day! And it had 3000 employees!
This company was founded and it's factory built in the mid 1800's and built only clocks. They added pocket watches to its product line around 1890 and by 1915
Waterbury became the largest clockmaker on the American scene. The company also introduced the original Mickey Mouse wristwatch to America. But the Great Depression, combined with World War II, caused the company to be sold to investors from Norway (of all places!) who changed the name to United States Time
Corporation who would later become the Timex brand of watches.
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4. 11-11-2009 04:42 PM #14
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The Illinois Watch Factory
Just like many of the other American Watch factories, The Illinois Watch Factory was a "HUGE" place.
(Friedberg)
The Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois employed about 1200 workers in 1927. The factory was a small city in it's own right, and had such interesting things as it's own:
"Benefits" package (like a 401k) Library Newsletter
Nurse Doctor
Mens AND Ladies bathrooms Cafeteria that served food at COST to employees Band and Glee Club
Baseball team
The company boasted that it made "Every effort to have the interests of its employees at heart, as well as the desire to produce the best quality product at the lowest cost"
The company estimated that it cost between $50 to $200 dollars to train an employee
properly and they wanted to keep them!
SOME COOL PIX:
Aerial Shot
Parking lot runoff wasn't a problem when this photo of the Illinois Watch Co. plant was taken around the turn of the century. The lawns apparently came right
up to the building. At the earlier Springfield Watch Co. the grass was kept short by sheep grazing around the building
This observatory was built near the Ninth St.-North Grand Ave. intersection on the grounds of the Illinois Watch Co.
in Springfield to verify the accuracy of the railroad timepieces that were the firm's specialty.
The Illinois Watch Co. boasted its own band, that later became the Springfield Municipal Band. A clock face adorns the bass drum.
(Pix/info: State of Illinois EPA)
Last edited by RJ007; 11-11-2009 at 08:00 PM.
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5. 11-12-2009 04:47 PM #15
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One of the more interesting architectural marvels in the American watch industry was this Gruen HQ's, located in Cincinnati Ohio -
In 1917 the Gruen brothers built this new headquarter outside of Cincinnati, Ohio and named it Time Hill. The building was inspired by Medieval guild halls, and
became an important symbol. “It has always been our aim,” Fred said, “… to foster those ideals of the ancient guilds, of quality and craftsmanship; to make useful things in a beautiful way, under ideal surroundings. We believe in applying art to industry as exemplified in all of our activities, from building a plant whose style
of architecture suggests craftsmanship, to making the watches most beautiful, with greatest accuracy obtainable.”
Anybody know if this building still exists?
Initially, Dietrich and Fred designed the watch movements in America and manufactured them in Germany. Later, they would build their own movement factory in
Switzerland. Most Gruen watches have Gruen-made Swiss movements and were assembled and adjusted in the U.S. in American-made cases.
That's American in my book!
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6. 11-18-2009 04:01 PM #16
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Bulova building Queens
This Beauty of a building is still standing in Queens, NY...
Hey, I know somebody who lives in Queens
observer.com pic
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7. 11-18-2009 05:22 PM #17
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by RJ007
This Beauty of a building is still standing in Queens, NY...
Hey, I know somebody who lives in Queens
observer.com pic
Yeah, that would be me!
The old Bulova factory, although it is far to nice looking to call it a factory, is probably one of the prettiest of all the old factories. It is a gorgeous art deco building built with what looks to be real granite on the outside and the inside is almost all marble with a wonderful atrium, such was the fortune of the old watchmakers.
This was also the site of the Bulova School Of Watchmaking, which Joseph Bulova built to help returning service men find work after the war. He was especially
helpful to the disabled vets and the school had amenities such as full cafeterias, kitchen facilities, dorms, a rec room, a gym and even a pool! So most of the Bulova watchmakers were returning vets.
This building is still in use today as a corporate center for Bulova and it is in very nice shape. It might be the last of the old "factories" still up and running at least in a small way like it once did. Bulova has some sales, personel and other staff offices there and the rest of the place is rented to various business's. It's a great place to visit and I think 007 has a bunch of great pics of the place he might be able to post.
I'm lucky enough to pass this building everyday on my way to work...
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8. 11-18-2009 06:29 PM #18
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Wetworks shot a few photos of the inside of that building:
Bulova Corporate Center
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9. 11-18-2009 08:09 PM #19
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by ulackfocus
Wetworks shot a few photos of the inside of that building: Bulova Corporate Center
Thanks Dennis, those are the pictures I was talking about.
That is a beautiful building!
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10. 11-20-2009 08:40 PM #20
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The Dueber-Hampden Watch Company
In the never ending quest for ever more obscure American watch companies... Dad found this one hiding.
The Dueber-Hampden Watch Company was an important employer in Canton, Ohio during the early 1920s.
**Employees in flat-steel division of the Dueber Hampden Watch Co.
The Dueber-Hampden Watch Company formally organized in 1923. Previous to this year, the firm actually consisted of two separate companies: the Dueber
Watch Case Company and the Hampden Watch Company. In 1886, John Dueber, the owner of the Dueber Watch Case Company, purchased a controlling interest in the Hampden Watch Company. In 1888, he relocated the Hampden Watch Company from Springfield, Massachusetts and the Dueber Watch Case Company
from Newport, Kentucky to Canton, Ohio. These two companies shared manufacturing facilities in Canton but remained two separate companies. The Dueber Watch Case Company provided casings to the Hampden Watch Company, which manufactured the internal workings of the watches.
The Dueber Watch Case Company and the Hampden Watch Company quickly became two of Canton's largest employers. In 1888, the companies' first year in Canton, the firms employed 2,300 Canton residents. In 1890, Canton's population was 26,337 people. Thanks to these two companies, Canton became an
important center for watch manufacturing in the United States of America. Unfortunately for Canton residents, in 1930, the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company ceased operations in the city. The factory and all manufacturing equipment was sold to Armen Hammer, who moved the company to the Soviet Union (modern-
day Russia) and established the Amtorg Watch Co. Several former employees of the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company traveled to the Soviet Union to train workers.
Source: Ohio Historical Society
1. 11-21-2009 03:43 AM #21
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The Dueber-Hampden picture is quite amazing. Funny thing with all those straps at the ceiling. It think that it was a bit loud in there but it looks much more interesting compared to modern factory buildings with their sterile looking workstations.
Thinking of the chemical industry where I am working its all the more a complete difference. They just look like some control room of the NASA or maybe a military nuclear bunker from an old cold war scenario with their many computer places and a handfull people in there.
Last edited by Endicott; 11-21-2009 at 03:46 AM.
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2. 11-21-2009 02:20 PM #22
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Originally Posted by RJ007
In the never ending quest for ever more obscure American watch companies... Dad found this one hiding. The Dueber-Hampden Watch Company was an important employer in Canton, Ohio during the early 1920s.
**Employees in flat-steel division of the Dueber Hampden Watch Co.
That is just an iconic scene from the days of our industrial might. People toiling away building products with genuine quality! No throw-away items like we buy
today, these products were made to last and each had an importance in our lives, unlike the disposable, cheaply made items these days. I know I say it often, but
it saddens me to see that it's all gone, that every single watch factory in this thread is gone! How did it happen and why did we let it happen?
That picture reminds me alot of the famous one of the ironworkers building the Empire State Building, sitting on a beam about 80 stories high eating lunch! That's
a real classic...
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3. 11-22-2009 08:00 PM #23
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I found a picture of a second Bulova factory that I didn't even know existed. It's on the east end of Long Island NY in a quaint town called Sag Harbor. This building was where Bulova built their watch cases.
It still exists and it is the biggest building in Sag Harbor. It's presently being renovated into condo's. Anyone WIS's interested?
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4. 11-23-2009 11:57 PM #24
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Isn't Ball an American watch? Or do you consider them boutique?
Originally Posted by Ham X Guy
Glad you like the thread Pete!
To answer your question...none! There are actually a couple of small boutique watchmakers still here, but nothing that is nearly the size of what I've posted here. These factories were huge as you can see, and employed thousands of people and sold millions of watches. If you go to the top of the American Watch Forum page, you'll see the banner for RGM watches, which is an American watchmaker trying to buck the trend. Gorgeous watches!
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5. 11-24-2009 04:26 PM #25
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Originally Posted by Wannaduck
Isn't Ball an American watch? Or do you consider them boutique?
Ball was an American watch at one time, but no more.
Ball was very important in horological history because he basically timed the railroads. He took movements from all of the best makers of the day, Hamilton, Elgin,
Waltham and others, and then modified them to his exact standards so trains could run on time, on schedule and most important, safely. During WW2 and after, he used Swiss movements.
Ball, as far as I know, never actually was a watchmaker per-say. I don't think he had a factory or produced his own watches, he just used other movements, cases, hands and dials and badged them as Ball watches.
Ball are now completely Swiss made. I believe they are part of the Swatch Group.
Anyone have further info?
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6. 11-26-2009 08:59 AM #26
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BALL WATCH COMPANY The Ball Watch Co., founded in 1891 by Webster C. Ball,
has an extremely unique story behind its birth. Webb C. Ball, of Cleveland, Ohio, was the General Time Inspector for more than 125,000 miles of railroad in the United States, Canada and Mexico, A collision of two Lake Shore and Michigan Southern trains at Kipton, Ohio. The Fast Mail train was traveling West on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad in Kipton, Ohio on April 19, 1891. Twenty five miles from Cleveland, at Elryia, another train, called the Accomodation, was
given orders to let the Fast Mail pass it at Kipton. The conductor of the Accomodation never took his watch out of his pocket. He later stated that he thought the engineer was watching out for the station and timing when to stop to let the Fast Mail pass. However, the engineer's watch stopped for nearly five minutes and then started back up again. The engineer kept along thinking he had time to spare. Leaving Oberlin, the Accomodation thought it had seven minutes to reach the
meeting point, but actually had around four. The two trains collided at Kipton with the Accomodation braking and the Fast Mail still traveling at speed, thinking the Accomodation had detoured for the scheduled passing. Engineers on both trains were killed, along with several others.
This crash resulted in the commissioning of Mr. Ball by the railroad officials to establish the time inspection system. Mr. Ball realized the key to the safe operations of the railroads was the manufacture of a standard watch that was sturdy enough to withstand the hard usage of railroad service and be an accurate time keeper. The first watch made for Ball and Company was an 18-size 3/4 plate by E. Howard. In 1893, the Hamilton Watch Company manufactured for the Ball Watch
Company a 16-size to Mr. Ball's specifications. This was followed by a 16-size made by the Waltham Watch Company and afterwards by an 18-size made by the Elgin National Watch Company. A minimum of 17 jewels were specified Adjustments to temperature and 5 positions were required. The 5 positions of adjustment were dial-up, dial-down,
pendant up, 9-up and 3-up. Later a sixth position was added, pendant down. The watch had to be accurate in temperatures from 30 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Ball watches were required to be lever-set, as a pendant set watch could pull out in the pocket and change the time. A clear white dial was specified with Arabic
numerals and 5-minute markers. Railroad watches were required to be inspected by a time inspector every two weeks and a tolerance of 30 seconds plus or minus, for the period was required. Webb C. Ball, was instrumental in the formation of the Horological Institute of America organized in 1921.
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7. 11-27-2009 05:54 PM #27
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Now that we opened a can of worms on railroad watches, let's see who has what.
I'm sure my friend RJ007 has a Bunn Rairoad watch to show us, since it was made by the Illinois Watch Company.
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8. 11-27-2009 06:04 PM #28
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Originally Posted by AJH
Now that we opened a can of worms on railroad watches, let's see who has what. I'm sure my friend RJ007 has a Bunn Rairoad watch to show us, since it was made by the Illinois Watch Company.
Ask and you shall receive!
60 hour, Illinois Bunn Railroad Grade!
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9. 11-28-2009 07:36 PM #29
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Bunn
This is what makes the American Watch Forum so interesting. Here RJ007 is showing us the Bunn Railroad watch as part of the watch ads of the times This and
the Ball Railroad Watch were so important for safe rail travel. Then we switch over to his thread on the Skyway watches and we see how the focus was switching to air travel in response to Lindburgh's flight across the Atlantic. The tide was turning and the watch manufacturers were gearing up for a whole new audience.
This was American Capitalism at it's best. Where has the Spirit of America gone?
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10. 11-28-2009 07:52 PM #30
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Originally Posted by AJH
Where has the Spirit of America gone?
literally: It's in the Smithsonian I believe.
figuratively: Don't get me started on the lack of skilled labor and the diminishing drive to create & manufacture domestic product. It's all about the quick
buck now, and if that means selling to foreign interest that's not an issue anymore.
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1. 11-28-2009 07:54 PM #31
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Originally Posted by AJH
This is what makes the American Watch Forum so interesting. Here RJ007 is showing us the Bunn Railroad watch as part of the watch ads of the times This and the Ball Railroad Watch were so important for safe rail travel. Then we switch over to his thread on the Skyway watches and we see how the focus was switching to air travel in response to Lindburgh's flight across the Atlantic. The tide was turning and the watch manufacturers were gearing up for a whole new audience.
This was American Capitalism at it's best. Where has the Spirit of America gone?
Jim (Hamx) and I talk about this all the time. One of the main themes of this American Forum was to show the best of America past and today... You see a great
little company like RGM that is reminiscent of the past, but on a very small scale and you think, "Where are the other RGM's?" Why are so many watches NOT made here anymore, to see the old factories empty or gone is sad... We made the BEST watches ever! IMO.
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2. 11-30-2009 02:02 AM #32
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The current Ball Co. is not a part of Swatch. I believe it is owned by Jeff Hess and perhaps some others. Mr. Hess has co-authored books on Rolex, has a watch business in Florida and is very active in the NAWCC. He also has a ton of Ball material.
A comment on the demise of manufacturing in the US. We collectors of American watches like them for many reasons, one of which is, that if properly maintained
they will last for centuries. The problem with such products is that after a while you get market saturation, you can only sell so many before sales start going down. That happened to the US watch industry early in the 20th century and add to that competition from dollar watches and the Swiss and you've got trouble. By 1930 only Elgin, Waltham and Hamilton were left. Early industrial products such as firearms, clocks, watches and sewing machines all had similar problems.
That's why business chases cheap labor and promotes creeping obsolescence. The electronics industry is the best example. Also folks forget that this country was in an
unusual situation after 1945, we were king of the hill with little or no competition, a situation that could not go on forever and certainly changed for the worse as the Germans and Japanese recovered. We also developed a fly in the ointment, to be polite, the MBA. Sorry if I've offended anyone but I feel that instead of adding lubricant to the system they've added sand.
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3. 12-01-2009 07:29 PM #33
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Well Spoken
Originally Posted by roninpa
The current Ball Co. is not a part of Swatch. I believe it is owned by Jeff Hess and perhaps some others. Mr. Hess has co-authored books on Rolex, has a watch business in Florida and is very active in the NAWCC. He also has a ton of Ball material. A comment on the demise of manufacturing in the US. We collectors of American watches like them for many reasons, one of which is, that if properly maintained they will last for centuries. The problem with such products is that after a while you get market saturation, you can only sell so many before sales start going down. That happened to the US watch industry early in the 20th century and add to that competition from dollar watches and the Swiss and you've got trouble. By 1930 only Elgin, Waltham and Hamilton were left. Early industrial products such as firearms, clocks, watches and sewing machines all had similar problems.
That's why business chases cheap labor and promotes creeping obsolescence. The electronics industry is the best example. Also folks forget that this country was in an unusual situation after 1945, we were king of the hill with little or no competition, a situation that could not go on forever and certainly changed for the worse as the Germans and Japanese recovered. We also developed a fly in the ointment, to be polite, the MBA. Sorry if I've offended anyone but I feel that instead of adding lubricant to the system they've added sand.
I was telling my son the other day that a wristwatch was a very big deal years ago. Many couldn't afford one and relied on the clock tower or the church bells, or
the factory whistle to tell the time of day. He who was able to afford the $45 for a watch purchased it for a lifetime. As a gift, the watch was reserved for the lucky graduate or for 25 years of service to a company.
To have more than one watch would have been a rarity. Similarly, I remember my grandfather with his orange and black fountain pen. He probably had and used that most of his working life, as it was an important tool
in the era pre email and computers. If you wore out the nib (point) you took the pen and had the nib replaced. It took BIC to make pens a throw away item.
Today we live in a disposable society and preach recycling. Years ago, we bought things to last a lifetime and passed them on to the next generation to use for
another lifetime. The watches we collect and cherish will last as long as people respect their heritage.
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4. 12-02-2009 04:16 PM #34
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by AJH
I was telling my son the other day that a wristwatch was a very big deal years ago. Many couldn't afford one and relied on the clock tower or the church bells, or the factory whistle to tell the time of day. He who was able to afford the $45 for a watch purchased it for a lifetime. As a gift, the watch was reserved for the lucky graduate or for 25 years of service to a company. To have more than one watch would have been a rarity. Similarly, I remember my grandfather with his orange and black fountain pen. He probably had and used that most of his working life, as it was an important tool in the era pre email and computers. If you wore out the nib (point) you took the pen and had the nib replaced. It took BIC to make pens a throw away item. Today we live in a disposable society and preach recycling. Years ago, we bought things to last a lifetime and passed them on to the next generation to use for
another lifetime. The watches we collect and cherish will last as long as people respect their heritage.
Well said AJ.
My first good watch as a young man was a Benrus and I remember it was very expensive for the time and my parents really debated whether they could stretch the budget to get it for me. Well, they did and I certainly appreciated it, because as you say, it was my one and only watch that was meant to last. It was and
important and meaningful purchase that took alot of thought on my parents part. How many thing's in our lives can we say that about these days?
Anyway, many years past and I never heard the name Benrus again, until I found this forum and it was like a rebirth hearing that great name again. So began my
Benrus addiction....
BENRUS - Official Watch Of Famous Airlines
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5. 12-08-2009 02:18 PM #35
RJ007
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Westclock
I found some wonderful information on this once Great company on a site called clockhistory.com, here are some excerpts and wonderful photos.
( Northern Illinois University Archives, Stoddard photos, 1992)
1884
Stahlberg and others arrived in Peru, Illinois from Waterbury, Connecticut to make clocks based on Stahlberg’s idea. Small factory established in back of Brylski’s Department Store. First produced 1 clock per day, then 3 or 4 per day, gradually increasing. Started with 8 people.
Western Clock Manufacturing company made their first pocket watches in 1899. Early models include The American and the Boyproof. Pocket Ben was first made
about 1919 and first advertised in 1921. Glo-Ben, the luminous version of Pocket Ben, was introduced in 1919 and renamed Pocket Ben Luminous in 1927 1901
Production capacity 1,000,000 alarm clocks per year (500,000 units actual production). 285 employees.
1914 3.5 million Big Ben alarms sold to date (according to March 21, 1914 Saturday Evening Post ad - figure doesn't agree with Westclox sales data ). Advertising manager Gaston LeRoy died in battle in France.
1929 3058 employees (peak number of employees before depression)
1941 3700 Employees.
1942 All non-war production ceased July 31.
1956 More than 4,000 employees produced 40,000 timepieces/day. More than 40 million Big Bens and 28 million Baby Bens had been produced to date. Style 7 Big Ben
and Baby Ben introduced. New Big Ben single key wind movement.
2001 Style 10 Big Ben and Baby Ben introduced. Reproduction Moonbeam introduced. June: General Time Corporation announced it was closing its entire operation. Facilities in the United States were the headquarters in Norcross, Georgia and the factory in Athens, Georgia. The distribution centers in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong were closed as well.
2007 On July 18, 2007 Salton, Inc. ("Seller") and NYL Holdings LLC ("Buyer") entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement as amended on August 23, 2007 ("Agreement"). The terms of the Agreement provided for Buyer to purchase Seller's clock inventory and certain time products related trademarks and tooling and
molds. The closing occurred in October 2007, when all inventory was transferred to Buyer.
Another Tragic sight just sitting and rusting in Peru, Illinois
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6. 12-08-2009 04:07 PM #36
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by RJ007
I found some wonderful information on this once Great company on a site called clockhistory.com, here are some excerpts and wonderful photos. ( Northern Illinois University Archives, Stoddard photos, 1992)
Another Tragic sight just sitting and rusting in Peru, Illinois
Yikes, that is pretty sad....
Every American from the baby-boomer generation is familiar with this company. I mean who didn't wake up to a Baby Ben or Big Ben Alarm clock? And who didn't
have a Westclox hanging in their kitchen? They were truly an American icon. Those last two sad pictures remind me of the old and abandoned Benrus factory wasting away in Waterbury CT. Shameful...
BENRUS - Official Watch Of Famous Airlines
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7. 12-10-2009 11:27 AM #37
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This is a quote from The History of the Gruen watch Co by pixlep.com
After Gruen's watch business was sold and left Cincinnati, Time Hill was occupied by a calendar company. The interior was extensively modified. The magnificent lobby, with a 20-foot (7 meter) ceiling, huge fireplace, tile floors and very large, unusual chandeliers, was stripped, chopped into two stories and turned into offices. During the 1990s the building was housed an insurance company, and today is owned by the Union Institute, an adult-education school.
There is also talk that the building is beening restored
Last edited by bazzab; 12-10-2009 at 11:34 AM. Reason: Adding more info
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8. 12-29-2009 08:52 AM #38
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Gruens Time Hill
Found this Gruen watch display, was not sure wether to put here or under watch ads!
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o gruen%20store.jpg (33.2 KB, 8 views)
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9. 12-29-2009 10:19 AM #39
RJ007
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Originally Posted by bazzab
Found this Gruen watch display, was not sure wether to put here or under watch ads!
bazzab... Wow, what is it?
Does it open up Would love to know more about it...
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10. 12-29-2009 10:50 AM #40
bazzab
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Gruen store display
I am really sorry it does not do anything! Its just to display Gruens. Used around the mid to late 20's, as Time Hill was enlarged in the early 30's.
I have seen a couple of these, not much else is known
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o gruen store display.jpg (74.4 KB, 5 views)
Last edited by bazzab; 12-29-2009 at 07:38 PM. Reason: Spelling
1. 12-29-2009 07:04 PM #41
RJ007
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Cool! I get it now. Never seen one before!
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2. 04-02-2010 12:03 PM #42
bazzab
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Time Hill
This is inside Gruens Time Hill Factory I have no idea what the guy is doing
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It is possible to own too much. A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure.
- Lee Segall
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3. 04-03-2010 05:40 PM #43
Ham X Guy
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That was a beautiful building!
Thanks for sharing that...
BENRUS - Official Watch Of Famous Airlines
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4. 04-05-2010 12:10 AM #44
marvelaugusts
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Awesome article . I never heard about that . Nice graphical presentation .
r4 dsi
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5. 04-05-2010 03:12 PM #45
Ham X Guy
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Originally Posted by marvelaugusts
Awesome article . I never heard about that . Nice graphical presentation .
Welcome to the American Watch forum marvel!
BENRUS - Official Watch Of Famous Airlines
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6. 04-12-2010 07:20 PM #46
bazzab
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Gruens Time Hill
I have not too many photos of Gruen's Time Hill. Heres on of the Front Entrance
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It is possible to own too much. A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure. - Lee Segall
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7. 04-14-2010 09:18 AM #47
Ham X Guy
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What a beautiful building Gruen had.
It certainly was a tribute to the Gruen families German roots. No American factory ever looked like that!
BENRUS - Official Watch Of Famous Airlines