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- Swatch Watch, 1984 - In the 1980s, adolescent and teen consumers across the world became attracted to a new type of watch called the "Swatch." First-marketed in the U.S. in 1983 the Swatch helped reestablish the Swiss as the world's major watchmaker. This watch was introduced as Generation X began to mature and acquire personal accessories. Swatch watches proliferated because of their aesthetic appeal rather than their functionality.
- 1984
- Collections - Artifact
Swatch Watch, 1984
In the 1980s, adolescent and teen consumers across the world became attracted to a new type of watch called the "Swatch." First-marketed in the U.S. in 1983 the Swatch helped reestablish the Swiss as the world's major watchmaker. This watch was introduced as Generation X began to mature and acquire personal accessories. Swatch watches proliferated because of their aesthetic appeal rather than their functionality.
- Screwdriver, Used by Henry Ford for Watch Repair, 1876-1878 - Watches were some of the first machines to catch Henry Ford's interest. He received a pocket watch for his 13th birthday which he quickly took apart -- and then put back together in perfect working order. Young Ford often repaired watches for friends and neighbors. He never charged for his services; the experience he gained was reward enough.
- 1876-1878
- Collections - Artifact
Screwdriver, Used by Henry Ford for Watch Repair, 1876-1878
Watches were some of the first machines to catch Henry Ford's interest. He received a pocket watch for his 13th birthday which he quickly took apart -- and then put back together in perfect working order. Young Ford often repaired watches for friends and neighbors. He never charged for his services; the experience he gained was reward enough.
- Air-activated Gear Cutter, Used by the Waltham Watch Company, circa 1895 - The Waltham Watch Company was a world-famous example of a highly mechanized manufacturer of quality consumer goods. Specialized labor, new machines, and interchangeable parts combined to create the company's low-cost, high-grade watches. Duane Church, Waltham's superintendent of toolmakers, developed precision watchmaking machinery that produced interchangeable parts without the aid of gauges and templates. Church invented this gear cutter in the early 1890s.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Air-activated Gear Cutter, Used by the Waltham Watch Company, circa 1895
The Waltham Watch Company was a world-famous example of a highly mechanized manufacturer of quality consumer goods. Specialized labor, new machines, and interchangeable parts combined to create the company's low-cost, high-grade watches. Duane Church, Waltham's superintendent of toolmakers, developed precision watchmaking machinery that produced interchangeable parts without the aid of gauges and templates. Church invented this gear cutter in the early 1890s.
- Display Wrist Watch, 1950-1959 -
- 1950-1959
- Collections - Artifact
Display Wrist Watch, 1950-1959
- Wrist Watch, 1933 - At the beginning of the Great Depression, watch manufacturers looked for ways to create inexpensive, yet fashionable, watches to appeal to the mass market. This E. Ingraham Company watch features a pierced nickel bracelet that appears to shimmer, echoing the effect of rhinestones. The lozenge-shaped face, with its Art Deco-inspired decoration, reinforces the look of elegance in an affordable watch.
- January 01, 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Wrist Watch, 1933
At the beginning of the Great Depression, watch manufacturers looked for ways to create inexpensive, yet fashionable, watches to appeal to the mass market. This E. Ingraham Company watch features a pierced nickel bracelet that appears to shimmer, echoing the effect of rhinestones. The lozenge-shaped face, with its Art Deco-inspired decoration, reinforces the look of elegance in an affordable watch.
- Watch Chain with Fobs, circa 1900 - By the late 1800s, a fob generally referred to an ornament that hung from a watch chain. Fobs included small seals, jewels, medallions, pendants, or other charms. These adornments may have had special personal meaning to the wearer, signifying a person's character or identity.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Watch Chain with Fobs, circa 1900
By the late 1800s, a fob generally referred to an ornament that hung from a watch chain. Fobs included small seals, jewels, medallions, pendants, or other charms. These adornments may have had special personal meaning to the wearer, signifying a person's character or identity.
- Scratch Brush, 1900-1920 - A clock and watchmaker uses a range of tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, reamers, burnishers and scratch brushes, like this one. Brushes with brass wire bristles are dipped into a wet cleaning solution and used to polish and brighten areas that cannot be accessed by a burnisher.
- 1900-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Scratch Brush, 1900-1920
A clock and watchmaker uses a range of tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, reamers, burnishers and scratch brushes, like this one. Brushes with brass wire bristles are dipped into a wet cleaning solution and used to polish and brighten areas that cannot be accessed by a burnisher.
- Scratch Brush, 1900-1920 - A clock and watchmaker uses a range of tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, reamers, burnishers and scratch brushes, like this one. Brushes with brass wire bristles are dipped into a wet cleaning solution and used to polish and brighten areas that cannot be accessed by a burnisher.
- 1900-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Scratch Brush, 1900-1920
A clock and watchmaker uses a range of tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, reamers, burnishers and scratch brushes, like this one. Brushes with brass wire bristles are dipped into a wet cleaning solution and used to polish and brighten areas that cannot be accessed by a burnisher.
- Spirit Lamp, 1900-1920 - A clock and watchmaker uses a range of tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, reamers, burnishers and even a small lamp, like this one. A lamp serves many purposes. It is used to heat and temper metal, soften shellac and, coupled with a blow pipe, aids in soldering.
- 1900-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Spirit Lamp, 1900-1920
A clock and watchmaker uses a range of tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, reamers, burnishers and even a small lamp, like this one. A lamp serves many purposes. It is used to heat and temper metal, soften shellac and, coupled with a blow pipe, aids in soldering.
- Pivoting Graver, 1900-1920 - A clock and watchmaker uses a range of small hand tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, hammers, burnishers and gravers, like this one. A graver is generally used to shape metal components on a lathe. The graver's sharp edge cuts away unwanted material.
- 1900-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Pivoting Graver, 1900-1920
A clock and watchmaker uses a range of small hand tools to create or repair timepieces. Among this skilled craftsperson's many tools are files, saws, hammers, burnishers and gravers, like this one. A graver is generally used to shape metal components on a lathe. The graver's sharp edge cuts away unwanted material.