Westclox Pocket Watches - Their History

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 1915 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, 1928?; new Pocket Ben (thinner, silver plated dial), 1932; new Pocket Ben (silver etched two-tone dial), 1933; Bull's Eye, 1929; 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.

Model 1 pocket watch movement by Western Clock Mfg. Co. — **Model 1** pocket watch movement. (Drawing from "The Watch that Made The Dollar Famous" by George Townsend, 1974.)

Model 2 pocket watch movement by Western Clock Mfg. Co. — **Second model** of Western Clock Mfg. Co. pocket watch movement. "Pat'd Sept. 22, 1885" "Patents Pdg." on barrel bridge.

The American pocket watch — **“The American”** Pocket Watch ca. 1908

Movement of The American. Movement model 3. — The movement has "Pat'd Oct. 28, 1902" "Patents Pdg." on barrel bridge. Serial number P25713 instead of a date (they did this for several years ca. 1905 - 1908). Please contact me if you have more information on these serial numbers. This is movement model #3.

Back of The American pocket watch — Back of The American pocket Watch

Pocket Ben watch from a 1921 advertisement. — **Pocket Ben** as shown in a 1921 advertisement

Glo-Ben pocket watch as shown in a 1922 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. — **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. — **Dax** pocket watch as shown in a 1935 Westclox catalog. Dax was first made in 1932.

Westclox handbag Wtch, 1934 — **Handbag Watch** from a 1935 Westclox catalog. It was available in black, white, blue and red. First made in 1933.

1934 Handbag Watch on its easel — **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.

The History of Westclox Pocket Watches