The History of Westclox Pocket Watches

Western Clock Manufacturing company made their first pocket watches in 1899. Early models include The American and the Boyproof. Pocket Ben was first made about 1919 and first advertised in 1921. Glo-Ben, the luminous version of Pocket Ben, was introduced in 1919 and renamed Pocket Ben Luminous in 1927. Other pocket watches and their dates of introduction included: Country Club, 1930; Dax, 1932; new Pocket Ben (thinner, silver plated dial), 1932; new Pocket Ben (silver etched two-tone dial), 1933; Bull's eye luminous, 1938; new Dax, 1938; Black Chief, 1938.

An early watch ca. 1897 with a hinged winding key and wound by opening up the back is mentioned in the August 20, 1929 Westclox Tick Talk magazine. It may have been based on the Two Inch movement, which was introduced in 1896.

More models will be shown after I get the Westclox model database up and running.

Model 1 pocket watch movement. (Drawing from “The Watch that Made The Dollar Famous” by George Townsend, 1974.)	Second model of Western Clock Mfg. Co. pocket watch movement. “Pat'd Sept. 22, 1885” “Patents Pdg.” on barrel bridge.

“The American” Pocket Watch ca. 1902
The movement states “Pat'd Sept. 22, 1885” “Patents Pdg.” On barrel bridge. The meaning of the markings “P25713” is not known. This is movement model #3.

Pocket Ben as shown in a 1921 advertisement

Glo-Ben pocket watch as shown in a 1922 advertisement. Glo-Ben is like a Pocket Ben but with luminous dial and hands.

Pocket Ben as shown in a 1935 Westclox catalog. This model was introduced in 1933.
Dax pocket watch as shown in a 1935 Westclox catalog. Dax was first made in 1932.

Handbag Watch from a 1935 Westclox catalog. It was available in black, white, blue and red. First made in 1933.
Handbag Watch is shown on its easel in this photo from a 1935 catalog.
Handbag Watch was introduced in 1933, and in 1935 it won the Kaufmann award at the Industrial arts Exposition at Rockefeller Center in New York. The case was designed by DeVaulchier & Blow, NY. It retailed for $2.95.

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