Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-02-03
MATCHMAKING IN AMERICA.
Testimony Of the Swiss Commissioner
American superior 10 Foreign Watches.

Testimony Of the Swiss Commissioners
American Superior 10 Foreign Watches.
NJ. Edouard Favre Perret Swiss commits
sioner to the Centennial Exhibition, and men,
Der of the international jury on watches, has
given the result of his observations on Ameri-
can matchmaking in public address at Chaux-
defends Loce and Neuchatel. Being himself
large watch manufacturer, his statements
made profound impression in Switzerland,
and will be read with the liveliest interest in
this country. After Sketching the growth of
Matchmaking in Besancon, by which the French
market for watches was lost to Switzerland, he
spoke substantially as follows:
For long time America has been the princi-
pal market for our watches. To-day we must
earnestly prepare to struggle with the Ameri-
cans on the fields where hitherto we have been
the masters. Mr.. Dennison, the father of
American Matchmaking, travelled through the
canton of Neuchatel, studying our mode of
manufacturing, seeking to inform himself of
everything, and carefully noting the weak points
in cur industry. After his return to the United
States, in 1854, he founded factory at Boston
-"The Boston Watch Company" The capital
scarcely 800, 000-was subscribed by capital
lists more than by practical business men. In
the beginning, the company turned out only
the rough skeleton movement. and attended to
the finishing all other parts, such as trains,
/ balances, jewels, ETC., were imported from Swift
zerland. Little by little, however, the factory
extended its operations and produced other
parts. But as the profits were small, the CAPT.
talists abandoned it and it failed in 1856.
Another American, Mr.. Robbins scented
good speculation, and bought the factory and
tools for $4,000. A new company" The
American Watch Company was formed, with
a capital of $200,00O, which was increased to
$500, 900 before the war, which put on foot a
million Of soldiers, and as every one wanted a
watch, there was great animation in the watch
business. At this juncture, which might have
been lucky one for our industry, we failed to
comprehend our real interests Instead of
sending good watches to the Americans, the
worst trash was sent. The Americans, however,
went to work on an entirely different plan. The
company increased their plant and turned out
a better ordinary watch than the Swiss watch.
At the end of several years the American watch
enjoyed good reputation, while ours were dis
credited everywhere. In 1865 the capital was
increased to $750,0O0, and the operations of the
company grew to immense proportions. The
Waltham Company gives employment to 900
| workmen, and make about 1875 movements per
day. They have again increased their capital
till it amounts to VI 100000 besides $30O,00
as a reserve fund. This watch factory is q real
powere there is none ike an Europe. We
} have seen it in all its details, and we have
, admired its splendid organization.
Last May, on the eve of the Exhibition, We
still seemed masters of the situation. One
event, however, dealt us a mortal blow. The
, Waltham Company announced reduction Of
4 from forty to fifty per cent. on prices already
lower than their rivals, the reduction to datt
!, back to January l, 1876. 1t is unnecessary tC
tell you gentlemen, how very detrimental thi
: was to the Swiss watch. Still another and NOR,
t important reason explains the growing prosper
| ity of the American Company. Their tool
work so regularly that all parts of the watcl
may be interchanged by a simple order on
postal card without necessitating the forward
Ing Of the adjoining piece.
The question has otter been ssked, can th