Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-08-07
Watches and Warehouses;
Stinened or "FiIled'' Gold Cases vs.. Soil
Cold

y
who Will considerably examine a
heavy solid gold watch ease, that be-
yond or aside from the necessary
thickness of gold for the engraving
and engine turning, the large pro-
portion of the precious metal remain
ing, is really needed only as stiff
ening to hold the engraved portion
in place. and give it strength enough
to enable it TO resist pressure from
without by sudden knocks or falls,
which would otherwise mutilate and
mar the case and iHjur the move
ment. This large proportion of the
gold adds greatly to the cost of q
watch, while it is actually needless,
so far as utility and beauty are con-
cerned, as any one can testify who
has observed old watches that have
been many years in wear, the engine
turning on which is worn smooth,
while the works are often worn
out entirely, or are so far beyond the
watchmaker's skill as to be unrelia-
BILE as time keepers.
Such being the fact, then, if in
place of this large amount of practic-
ally needless gold, a baser metal be
substituted, the cost will be proper
tionately lessened, while the strength
solidity and beauty OF the case re-
mains intact.
On the other hand, large numbers
of gold watches are made and sold
with eases so fragile, in order to re-
duce their cost to the lowest point,
as to be almost unserviceable, and in
| fact many become entirely SO after
a few months constant use-the COW
ers having become sprung, so as not
to shut, or stay shuttle Joints or
lao a.,
and portion of the centre rim tear
| ing away, the gold having been re
duced SO extremely thin, as not to
afford substance enough to allow of
the edges being soldered together Tor
| if such repairs can be made, it is on
| ly at the expense OF the beauty of
| the case, and with the dents and
mars that with the greatest care are
continually accum ulating-the wear
| er knows not now, or when they
come-they gradually become so bat
tered and unsightly, as to be any
| thing but an object of pride or pleas
| ure.
Now if these cases had been stiffen-
| ed with lining of baser metal, the
cost would have been little if any
| more, the need of costly repairs
| would have been avoided, and they
! would have remained handsome and
undefaced for years, to the great ad-
vantage of both watches and own
erS.
For actual use and appearance,
such stiffened gold case would be
worth far more than the thin one,
and be equal to any fine solid gold
one of the same thickness, and at
Ione-haIf or one-third the price.
There is still another class of watch
cases of poor low karet gold, which
are finely finished. "made to seIl'-
and their purchasers find they are
"sold," as soon as the outside color
ing wears off, which takes no very
long time to accomplish.
The advantages, therefore, of buy
ing watch with stiffened gold
| case, in preference to the solid one,
are manifest. The actual cost is but
one-half or one-third as much, and
consequently one who considers the
item of interest on his investment
| need not be reminded Of the saving
| he will make in the course of ten
years, while if lost by accident or
the efforts of pickpockets, thieves, or
burglars, the purchaser will have the
consolation of knowing thatit would
have been the same if it had been of
solid gold, and the saving effected in
the first instance, will allow of the
purchase of another of the same
kind, at no larger, if as great, total
cost as originally would have been
incurred for heavy solid gold
watch.
Stitfened, or technically speaking,
"filled' gold watch cases of this
description are now being made in
Providence, Rhode Island, by Messrs.
j. A. Brown & Co., Watch Case Man
ufacturers, No. Is Eddy street, under
patent granted Mr.. Geo. w. Ladd,
in June, 1867.
of gold and nickel composition,
"sweated," or welded together, form
ing solid bar of metal, which, after
being rolled to the required thick
ness, Is made into watch cases of diff
ferent grades.
The best grade is termed the extra
quality, or one-half gold; the next,
the first quality, or one-third gold.
They are beautifully engraved and
engine turned, the same as solid gold
cases, and in appearance cannot be
told from them. The prices are cor
respondingly less, according to quail
ity.
They are all fitted with Mr.Ladd's
improved spring, forged from sim
gle piece of steel, put in without
screws, and so shaped that the press
ure in opening or shutting the COW
er, bears upon the spring evenly at
all points, giving quick and easy ac-
ton, thus avoiding the great liabili-
ty of breaking, and consequent cost
of repairs, as in the cd method OF
sprtnging, with two springs fastened
in with screws.
They have as yet been but slightly
introduced to the trade of this city,
though abroad they have con-
stantly increasing reputation and
sale; but we can assure the public
that they need but to be seen and
examined to be admired, and when
their advantages are UNDERSTOOD ap-
preciated.
One of these cases, furnished with
good substantial movement, made |
by either of the American compan-
les, for which they are more especial |
" designed and adapted, make a |
watch that will give the purchaser |
pleasure and satisfaction.
No one need hesitate to buy q |
case of this kind, made by the firm |
above named, and it will not be q |
matter of special wonder if the Ladd |
watch case should in the course of a |
few years acquire reputation and |
popularity second only TO that OF the |
American movement. Certainly for
real genuine worth at low cost, they
cannot be too highly appreciated,
and any person who intends pur-
chs a watch will do we'll tn O IL