By Bruce Shawkey
Found this ad in a 1950 issue of JCK magazine. Gotham was a sub-brand of Ollendorff, generally low-jeweled (6 or 7) watches.
The company was started in 1868 by Isador Ollendorff. The company imported watches from Switzerland and was run by the family in New York City until it was sold to the Gotham Watch Company.
Another Gotham watch is shown below.
Her:e is article written by AI:
The history of wristwatches is a fascinating journey that reflects technological innovation, societal changes, and evolving fashion trends. From their origins as practical tools to their status as symbols of luxury and style, wristwatches have played a unique role in human history.
The earliest wristwatches trace back to the 16th century when they were more accurately described as "wrist-clocks." These were primarily worn by women and considered ornamental pieces rather than precise timekeeping instruments. Men, on the other hand, preferred pocket watches, which were deemed more practical and masculine during this era.
In 1810, the first recorded wristwatch was created by Abraham-Louis Breguet for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. This watch was a luxury item, signaling the exclusivity and artisanal craftsmanship associated with early wristwatches.
Wristwatches began gaining broader appeal in the late 19th century, primarily due to their utility in military contexts. Soldiers needed a more convenient way to check time during battle than pulling out a pocket watch. By the time of World War I, wristwatches had become a staple for military officers, leading to a shift in societal attitudes. They were no longer seen as feminine accessories but as practical tools for men.
The development of the wristwatch was further propelled by advances in miniaturization and precision engineering. Swiss manufacturers like Patek Philippe and Omega emerged as leaders in crafting durable and reliable wristwatches.
The 1920s marked the beginning of wristwatches as everyday accessories for the general public. Companies like Rolex and Hamilton introduced innovations such as waterproof cases and self-winding mechanisms, making wristwatches more functional and appealing.
The introduction of quartz movements in the 1950s revolutionized the industry. Quartz watches were more accurate, affordable, and easier to produce than their mechanical counterparts, leading to widespread adoption.
The "Quartz Crisis" of the 1970s and 1980s refers to the dramatic impact quartz technology had on the traditional watch industry. Swiss watchmakers, long dominant in the mechanical watch market, struggled to compete with Japanese manufacturers like Seiko, who offered high-quality quartz watches at lower prices. This period saw many traditional brands either adapt to the new technology or face decline.
In the late 20th century, mechanical watches experienced a resurgence as luxury items. Brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and TAG Heuer began marketing their timepieces as symbols of prestige and craftsmanship. Collectors and enthusiasts valued the artistry and tradition behind mechanical movements, even as quartz watches remained dominant in the mass market.
The 21st century brought another significant shift with the advent of smartwatches. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Garmin introduced wearable devices that combined traditional timekeeping with advanced functionalities like fitness tracking, notifications, and GPS. While smartwatches have carved out a significant market share, traditional wristwatches continue to thrive, often serving different purposes and audiences.
The history of wristwatches is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. From ornate wrist-clocks to modern smartwatches, these devices have evolved in response to technological advances and cultural shifts. Whether valued for their utility, craftsmanship, or aesthetic appeal, wristwatches remain enduring symbols of personal style and technological achievement.
By Bruce Shawkey
Kienzle is a German watch and clock company that was founded in 1822 by Johannes Schlenker in Schwenningen, Germany. The company is known for its classic style watches and clocks, and has been manufacturing watches since 1822.
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| From a 1970s Christmas Wishbook |
From Timex PR department: Back in 1895, 35 cents got you about five pounds of candy, and just a dollar could claim you our coveted Yankee pocket watch. Farmers checked it during harvests, train conductors relied on it for punctuality, and factory workers synchronized their breaks by its hands. It was “the watch that made the dollar famous”—a humble timekeeper that transcended its price tag.
By the turn of the century, over six million of these ‘dollar watches’ had found their way into the hands of everyday Americans, democratizing quality timekeeping for all. Even literary legend Mark Twain couldn’t resist owning one, having sent us a dollar in exchange for a watch of his very own.
Now in 2024, we’re celebrating our legacy of accessible timekeeping with the Timex 170th Anniversary Edition $1 Waterbury Watch—a limited-edition of 1,000 available globally on November 16th and priced at just $1. It joins our beloved Waterbury collection, honoring our origins as the Waterbury Clock Company with finely finished surfaces and careful applications of watchmaking ingenuity.
It's powered by a reliable quartz movement, and displays a glossy ice white dial with our official 170th Anniversary Edition logo, elevated by 3D lacquered Roman numeral markers, beautifully detailed retro-style hands with luminescent in-fill, and a glanceable day and date window at 3 o’clock. The dial is protected by an anti-glare mineral glass crystal, and we’ve paired the 40mm brushed and polished stainless-steel case with the timeless shine of a natural leather strap in a rich shade of English Cordovan brown, featuring quick-release spring bars for effortless strap changes.
Flip the watch over, and it reveals a caseback enhanced with vertical brushing and engraved with a commemoration of this special moment in our watchmaking history. It’s a celebration of our legacy, a reminder of where we started, and a testament to the timeless quality and craftsmanship that has defined Timex for generations.
Time is of the Essence
With only a limited number up for grabs, this watches is expected to sell quickly; once it's gone, it's gone. Those looking to claim a $1 watch of their very own can do so at all participating retailers at 10am locally. It will also be available on Timex.com US and Timex.ca (10am EST / 7am PST), Timex.co.uk (10am GMT), Timex.eu (10am CET), and shop.timexindia.com (10am IST). Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate time, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the dollar.
By Bruce Shawkey
Montgomery Ward has long been at the forefront promoting wristwatches for men. Here are some samples;
From a 1916 catalog:
From a 1956 catalog (Thanks to friend Mario Mardones for sharing this image)
By Bruce Shawkey
Importing Swiss watches got expensive due to the heavy taxes placed on them so Wittnauer came up with an idea for reducing the expense without losing the quality. The watches could be produced by a subsidiary of their own in Switzerland or they could assemble the watches domestically.
The first Wittnauer's watch line was crafted starting from 1880, but the Wittnauer brand was formally established 1888 when Wittnauer took over Eugene Robert’s company and renamed it the "A. Wittnauer Company." Wittnauer movements were at the beginning generally made for them by Swiss firms (Revue Thommen and others), while in later years Wittnauer used a number of different sources for their movements. The company began as a small family business, catering to the ever-growing world of both scientific and private exploration, which gained them a reputation for use by those who needed reliability: navigators, explorers, and astronomers.
The A. Wittnauer Co. became further involved with the United States Navy for early tests in the budding fields of aviation and navigation.
In the following years, Wittnauer Co. steadily grew and moved to the New York center. During the 20th century, it also bought a production plant in Puerto Rico. When the last Wittnauer brother died in 1916, their sister Martha Wittnauer, became the first woman watchmaker CEO.
During World War I Wittnauer produced instruments and watches for the early aviation units. The most famous model was probably the Wittnauer AllProof, produced for the first time in 1918, and one of the first all proof models ever used by daredevil Jimmie Mattern in his 1933 attempt to fly around the world in his Vega 5B, "Old Cromwell." On May 20–21, 1932 Amelia Earhart made the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic with her Lockheed Vega-5B equipped with Wittnauer instruments.
In 1950 the Swiss company Longines bought Wittnauer, and marketed some very similar lines of watches under both brand names, maintaining separate factories.
