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COLLECTION Identifier: Mss:598 1854-1929

Waltham Watch Company records

Overview

Records of watch manufacturer Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, Mass., founded in 1850.

Dates

  • Creation: 1854-1941 (inclusive)
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1854-1929

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Some materials may be stored offsite; access requires advance notice. Contact specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu for more information.

Extent

111 linear feet (1009 volumes, 52 boxes, 3 cases)

This collection includes administrative records, treasurer’s reports, general accounts, purchase and receiving records, wage rate books, payroll records, production by employees. There are miscellaneous legal papers, advertising data, illustrated price lists and catalogues. Some records relate to the allied firm of Robbins and Appleton, which had the sales agency for Waltham watches. Includes a few papers of the patent law firm of Wright, Brown, Quinby and May; the Cadillac and Packard Motor Car Companies, and Potter Brothers, Chicago. Also includes 22 volumes of records of the Dubois Watch Case Company, 1907-1923.

Historical Note:

Waltham Watch Company was a watch manufacturer founded in 1850 in Waltham, Mass. The firm was known as the American Watch Company from 1859 to 1885. It was renamed the American Waltham Watch Company in 1885 and retained this name until 1906. The company went into bankruptcy in 1948. Various attempts at reorganization proved unsuccessful and it ceased operations in the 1950s. The Waltham Precision Instrument Company was an instrument manufacturer loosely descended from the older firm.

Series Outline

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  1. Series A. Administrative records, 1854-1923
  2. Series B. Journals, 1885-1923
  3. Series C. Ledgers, 1864-1923
  4. Series D. Cash books, 1854-1928
  5. Series E. Trial balances, 1905-1923
  6. Series F. Bills receivable and payable, 1893-1923
  7. Series G. Vouchers (paid bills), 1906-1921
  8. Series H. Supplies and purchase records, 1895-1923
  9. Series K. Labor records: Time books and pay rolls, 1859-1924
  10. Series L. Production records, 1867-1920
  11. Series M. Credit union loans, 1919-1920
  12. Series N. Parts orders, 1911
  13. Series O. Sales, 1857-1927
  14. Series P. Letters, 1900-1916
  15. Series R. Miscellany, 1875-1921
  16. Series S. Legal records, 1899-1941
  17. Series T. Advertising materials, 1879-1929
  18. Series U. Dubois Watch Case Co. records, 1907-1921
  19. Series W. Cadillac Motor Car Co. records, 1920-1921
  20. Series X. Matalene records, 1914-1919
  21. Series Y. Packard Motor Car Co. records, 1913-1921
  22. Series Z. Potter Brothers, Chicago, records, 1915-1922
  23. Series ZA. Papers of Charles W. Moore, 1845-1946
  24. Photographs, 1862-1893, undated

Physical Location

MANU

Provenance:

Gift of Waltham Watch Company, 1938. Wright, Brown, Quinby and May papers were gift of Wright, Brown, Quinby and May, 1942. Typewritten histories by E. A. Marsh, were gift of Dudley Dumaine, 1964.

Existence and Location of Copies

A publication entitled "American Watch Co. Waltham, Mass. Incorporated 1854. New Orleans Exposition 1884-85" from Box TE-3, Scrapbook “A”-advertising booklets and other printed advertising, 1895-1899, is available as a digital surrogate .

Vols. AD-1 and AD-2 (Treasurer’s Reports, 1859-1899) is available on microfilm (1 reel, 35 mm.) for use in the Historical Collections Reading Room, Baker Library. Order no. 84-0192.

Vols. RC-1 and RC-2 (2 histories of E. A. Marsh, c.1889 and c.1921) is available on microfilm (1 reel, 35 mm.) for use in the Historical Collections Reading Room, Baker Library. Order no. 65-7615.

Pay rolls, 1871-1875, (portions of v. KC-6, KC-7, KC-8 and KC-9) are available on microfilm (1 reel, 35mm.) from Historical Collections, Baker Library. Order no. 85-4668.

Title
Waltham Watch Company. Waltham Watch Company records, 1854-1941 (inclusive), 1854-1929 (bulk): A Finding Aid
Author
Baker Library
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
und
EAD ID
bak00120

Repository Details

Part of the Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School Repository

Baker Library Special Collections and Archives holds unique resources that focus on the evolution of business and industry, as well as the records of the Harvard Business School, documenting the institution's development over the last century. These rich and varied collections support research in a diverse range of fields such as business, economic, social and cultural history as well as the history of science and technology.

Contact:
Baker Library | Bloomberg Center
Soldiers Field Road
Boston MA 01263 USA
(617) 495-6411