The New York herald., 1845-10-15
Valr at NlbIo,s (sertlen

In connexon with the exhibition of watches and chro-
question has itself to us ss to what the state
oths manufacture these articles in this country and to
Of our most extensive Matchmaker we and that the
uacture Of the movements Of watches Is carried on
very small scale indeed; in fact there are no nsnufscto
rss devoted exclusively to this business those
msns that are made in this country being merely casual
made to fula some passing order steady sup
Ry kept up. Inc importations Of watch movements
from England are very large, and in fact the demand
for the American market be scarcely supplied SO
where oy the bye, is the fashion for each to
wear two wstches has been thrown open to them. and
hey send vast quantities. the manufacturing Of
which keeps all their hands busy There are an immense
NUMBER nun OF swiss and French watches also imported
70 the Ens,. scnes Is Inferior in quality and accuracy
more hashy style than the English that
are preferred oy that class OF customers who wish
snowy sIucle without reference to its time keeping
capacity They are to be had at all prices, between
Ssr 1ros IS. ana dollars since 1885,
One would suppose from the great use made Of import
ed movements that we unable manufacture the
reason The manufacturing the of watches
n divided into number Of branches amounting to as
employed in getting one whole sett up The nav oftbese
mechanics in England is very small compared with what
the same class would demand here and in consequences
OF the duty peng almost nominal (seven and half per
cent? it would be folly to endeavor to compete with them
when we can get articles at such low price The
duty necessarily lows under former tariffs thew were
much higher and the consequence was that an immense
number We're smuggled n-their small bulk offering
uor the manufacturer were benefed but under the pre-
sent system the revenue at least derives some adyan
age Inc TACT that any repairs even to the
replacing OF parts OF the workscan be executed with
precision by our kers, shows need were we
could manufacture the entire article. English patent
lever watches vary in price according to their finish
from twenty to one hundred and fifty dollars or even
higher than that.
But there another branch the business in which we
nave attaned 10 some pere con and this is the making
OF chronometers Owing to the facility with which the
longitude may be determined by the aid Of accurately
going Watches it is of great importance to have them
ma ie as perfect as possible With view to encourage
the exertions OF wachmakers liberal premiums have
Governments In the reign of Queen Anne a reward OF
100000 sterling was offered to any who should make
watch or other instrument capable Of determining
longitude ct sea with accuracy. This premium was
premiums OF smaller amount were given to Messrs.
Nudge Arnold Earnshaw sc and since 1922 prizes
one Of f300 and one of f200 have been annually given
to the makers of chronometers adudged be the
pest after twevemonths trial at the Royal Observato
ry at Greenwich and consequently they attained to
much perfection in the art Of making them.
From this very slight sketch will be how much
pains mas been taken to foster this branch in England
and must be cause of every
know that in this country where no such
chronomeers (and which, after all is the great test Of
their goodness) Is the sole supports il must saw
congrauatory to know that have succeeded in max
ing accurate and that the American
many of them trading to Liverpool-t6e OF
all excellence in this line. With this slight notice OF
watches and that kind OF goods we must centent
selves to-day.
There are other articles in the Fair which we
shall notice hereafter. The grand ploughing match
came of yesterday at Harlem, which attracted great
number of people. The result of it will be found in
anothor column