![]() It was this innovation and the resulting patent, in part, that spurred his launch of the company only a few months later Stahlberg’s first patent involved the use of alloys in the creation of some of the essential watch mechanisms.A few years later, that name was shortened to “Westclox." Always at the front line of innovation, Westclox pioneered new applications for time-telling technologies throughout the 20th century, securing the company’s status as one of the most recognizable watch brands. Over subsequent years the company experienced several bankruptcies and reorganizations, eventually taking the name “Western Clock Company” in 1912. Originally formed as the “United Clock Company” by Charles Stahlberg and his collaborators in 1885, the company took shape in Peru, Illinois. The brand was sold again in 2007 to NYL Holdings LLC.Westclox is one of the oldest watch makers in the United States, and defined an era of affordable yet aesthetically pleasing watches. announced the acquisition of the Westclox, Big Ben and Spartus brands from the bankrupt General Time Corporation. The General Time headquarters in Norcross, Georgia and the factory in Athens, Georgia were closed, as were distribution centers in the United Kingdom, Canada and Hong Kong. In 2001, the General Time Corporation announced it was ceasing all operations, and closing its US facilities. The resulting holding company, the General Time Instruments Corporation, produced the first electric wall clock in 1932, and went on to become the largest producer of alarm, wall and occasional clocks in North America. In 1930, shareholders in the Western Clock Company approved a merger with the Seth Thomas Clock Company. As such, we do not repair Westclox watches. It is almost certain that the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the watch. In later years, many of them were riveted together and are not easily disassembled for repair. They were very inexpensively made movements, with stamped out plates and pin-pallet escapements. Unfortunately, many Westclox watches are not good candidates for repair. ![]() Many a lad (including this watchmaker) received a Westclox pocket watch for a birthday or Christmas gift, and while only a few Westclox watches are considered to be monetarily valuable by collectors today, they represent a fascinating part of American watch history because of the volume of watches produced and are easily collectible because they can often be purchased quite inexpensively.Ī few of the more popular Westclox models were: The American, Bulls Eye, Boy Proof (designed with special "tamper-proof" back), Country Gentleman, Dax, Everbrite, Johnny Zero, Pocket Ben, Scotty, and Team Mate (made with various sports team markings). By 1920, the company was producing 15,000 watches per day! The trademark for the Westclox name was filed in 1916, but the Westclox name first appeared on a watch in about 1911. The company produced thousands of lower-grade watches including many pin-pallet "dollar-style" watches. They also produced small, decorative "handbag watches" which were designed to be carried in a woman's purse. Westclox began producing pocket watches around the turn of the 19th century. Originally started by Charles Stahlberg as the United Clock Company, the Western Clock Manufacturing Company (later simply Westclox) was primarily a producer of small clocks, including wind-up alarm clocks. Westclox Advertisement, circa 1950 Westclox: The "Boy Proof" Pocket Watch
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