New-York tribune., 1875-12-11
the GRowge or GREAT INDUSTRY
HOW WATCHES ARE MADE.


The idea of watch making by machinery
was first entertained by 4. Howard and A. L. Dennison
OF Boston, and carried in small WY ut RoXbury in
1880. After three years they removed to Wax
than, Mass and by the aid OF the Waltham Improve
ment Company established an incorporated company
1891. Here they began operations by building small
factory the present site or the American watch Com
pany's Works under the title OF the Boston Watch Com
pany Three years after having expended all their cap
itaI, that Company became bankrupt and the property
was sold assgnoes sale Mr. Il. T.. Robbins oi New
York purchasing IL for the firm Of Appleton Tracy Co
A few months later MessIs Robbins Il Appleton became
sole Of the property. and in september 1888
was sold by them 90 the waltham Improvement COM
pany by act of the 1t gatuge that Company assumed
the present title OF American Watch Company Mossrs-
Robbins Appleton took their pay in stock of tho corp-
ration At that time the capital was fixed at S2OoOOo
About year after It Was advanced 70 FjOOOOo
by subscriptions. The capital Las been increased
10y subscription three several asons snce-hTst 10
100000 second to 81 100000. and the third tmo to its
present amount ~ 100000. The factory itself has kept
pace with tho ncrease ani growth OF ia machinery and
business. .Wbichhuye been gradual with almost unN nyins
from lis reorganization IN 1888 10 the present.
time Ihe buildings cover Hp"ut TWO acres, some VI
them incOsc court ards, which a.e laid Ou IN gardens
aud adorned with sb,ubcry plants! nnd fountains Ihs
rest Of the factory plat about four Is laid out ana
kept as lawn. Tho whole property Nas originally a
seventeen years this has been laid out IN hniiinsos
ani streets and abont oneall OF tuSo 9lo nave en-
=
themselves These buildings togoth'r "ih about 100
other cottages anh boanliug hous Ccrioi by lh' Com
pany, now constitute quite a large village .
To the NisOr tg interior pre- SculS1 mode" OF cieahl
neatness, aud order GIes attention - pi1d u ven
tilaOn, oven temperature and light, irI the h'lth OF
the cmpOye, The factory consists Oi - different depart
mons, each under It's proper fOrtInan aud ao,Stahte
The whole Is ia change OF AIR. A. T. Bacon rs SUpcrlh
tendcnt and Mr. &. NauderwOerd ~ Mechanical -upcrln
teuent The number Of employees In the factory 10 about
$780, half OF whom males. - far tho largest pro
portion of these persons Of good oucJuod, and rc
malkble only for their sk. hut for good personal
character and general mtollig nee ariy au are oe
New England origin One portion or tAc factory - &c
voted 10 the manufacture of silver e1o 'ach sot csea
as are demanded manufactured h NeH-loik hy tns
frin of Robbins Appleton. The totdi product ot tho
factory per Il about 100000 watch NoNttntnb
and 900 watch exclusive OF the god cases uanu
facturcd in New-lOrk.
The Company nds the principal markets for ITS pro-
ducliOns within the limits OF tho United states but OF
late II has been making enOrts 10 Introduce ts GOODS
through the general markets Of the world house mas
been established within the past IN Waltham Bid
iugs Hobon Circus London. and its success has been
r,marklbo, considering the short period of its exist
Not only the public Of Great Britain. Out ths
BRUSH colonies. aud naeed nearly all foreign countries
showing great interest In nmacnenade Watthcs snc
the truth Is beginning Ia dawn upon even tao s"is. thss
the American system Is vastly superior 10 Tue olu ons
upon which They st work Constant fc1ut lions IN ficS
and imprOy In machinery al tDc wahan fac,cty
have at Lst brought American wAlchcs 10 ,hc pelus
whore they successfully compete TIth TIC Wale' Vi aS
uati9Rshly whatever.