Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-07-24
Watches and Watch Cases.
Stinened or II sl1ed'' G okl Cases vs.. Solid
Gold Cases.

heavy solid gold watch ease, that be-
yond or sside 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 streD 9Th enough
to enable it to resist pressure from
without by sudden knocks or falls,
which would otherwise mutilate and
mar the case and iBjure the move
ment. This large proportion of the
gold adds greatly to the cost of a
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-
bic 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 viii be proper
tionately lessened while The strength
soiidity and beauty of the case re-
mains intact.
On the other hand, large numbers
of gold watches are made and sold
with cases so fragile, ia order to re-
duce their cost TO the lowest point,
as to be almost unservice a Die, aud in
fact many become entirely SO after
a few months constant u3e--the COW
ers having becOma sprung, SO as not
TO shut, or stay shuttle joints or
hinges breaking oui--O- the heads
and portion OF the centre rira tear
Ing away, the gold having been re
duced SO extremely thin, as not to
afford subsistence enough to allow OI
the edges being solde1ed together or
if such repairs can be made, it is on
~ at the expense Of the beauty of
the cage 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 8 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 adj
vantage of both watches and own
erS.
For actual use and appearance,
such stiffened gOlG ease would be
worth far more than the thin one,
and be equal to any fine solid gold
one Of the same thickness, and at
one-half or one-third the price.
There is still another class of watch
cases of poor low karet gold, which
are finely finished, ''maGe TO sell'-
and their purchasers find they are
''sOld,' as soon as the outside color
ing wears off, which takes no very
long time 20 accomplish.
The advantages, therefore, Of buy
ing watch with a st.ffened gold
case, in preference to the solid one,
are manifest The actual cost is but
one-half or one-third RS 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 a heavy solid gold
watch.
Stiffened, or technically speaking,
"filledn gold watch cases OF this
description are now being made in
this city by Messrs. J. A. Brown &
Co., Watch Case Manufs cturers, No.
Is Eddy street, under a patent grant
ed Mr.. George w. Laid, in June,
1867.
They are made from thick plates
of gold and nickel composition,
ing n 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, tho same as solid gold
eases, 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 a sim
gle piece Of steel, put III without
screws, and SO shaped that the press
ure in opening or shutting the COW
er, bears upon the spriug 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 ole method Of
springing, with two springs fastened
in with screws
They have as yet been but slightly
introduced 10 the trade Of this city,
though abroad they have CON
stant1y increasing reputation and
sale but We can assure the public
that they need but TO be seen and
examined TO he admired, and when
their advantages are understood ap-
preciated.
One OF these eases, furnished with
q good substantial movement, made
by either OF the American cOmpan-
les, for which they are more especial
ly designed and adapted, make a
watch that will give the purchaser
pleasure and satisfaction.
No one need hesitate 10 buy a
case of this kind, made by the firm
above named, and it VIII not be
matter OF special wonder if the Iadd
watch case should in the course of
few years acquire reputation and
movement. Certainly for
cannot be too highly appreciated,
and any person who intends pur-
chasing d watch will do we'll TO ask
. Il, H. 4