Pocket Watch Makers — Complete Guide
The golden age of American pocket watch manufacturing ran from roughly 1850 to 1970. During that period a handful of companies produced tens of millions of precision timepieces that still tick reliably today. Click any maker below for a full history, grade guide, and — for American makers — a complete serial number table so you can date your watch precisely.
American Pocket Watch Makers
Waltham
The pioneering American Watch Co, 1850–1957. Over 35 million movements produced. Shown: Waltham Premier Vanguard 23 Jewels.
History & Serials →
Elgin
Elgin National Watch Company, Illinois, 1864–1964. America's largest pocket watch manufacturer with an estimated 60 million movements.
History & Serials →
Hamilton
Lancaster PA, 1892–1969. Famous for railroad and military watches. Shown: Hamilton Railway Special — the finest American railroad movement.
History & Serials →
Illinois
Springfield Watch Co, Illinois, 1872–1927. Acquired by Hamilton. Noted for the Bunn Special and the elegant Art Deco models of the 1920s.
History & Serials →
Hampden
Dueber-Hampden, Canton Ohio, 1877–1927. Known for quality railroad watches. Shown: Dueber Hampden open-face railroad grade.
History & Serials →
E. Howard
Boston, 1858–1930. One of America's earliest and most respected independent watchmakers. Noted for precision and conservative elegance.
History & Serials →
Ingersoll
The original Dollar Watch maker, 1892 onward. Shown: Ingersoll Reliance — "Made in U.S.A." Became Timex. Famous for the 1933 Mickey Mouse watch.
Read more →Swiss & European Pocket Watch Makers
Patek Philippe
Geneva, founded 1839. The pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking. "You never actually own a Patek Philippe — you merely look after it for the next generation."
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Omega
La Chaux-de-Fonds, founded 1848. Official timekeeper of the Olympic Games and NASA. Shown: Omega military issue pocket watch with luminous hands.
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Rolex
Founded London 1905, Geneva from 1919. Shown: An early Rolex silver-cased pocket watch — a rare piece from before the company's wristwatch dominance.
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Breitling
Saint-Imier, est. 1884. Shown: a Breitling Genève pocket chronograph with two registers — a fine example of their precision timing heritage.
Read more →Serial Number Look-Up Tables
Use the links below to date your watch precisely. Enter the serial number from the movement plate — not the case — for an instant result.