Early History of the New York Watch Company: Part 6 – Surviving the Fire

Despite the fire that destroyed the factory of the New York Watch Company in April 1870, the company was in a favorable position to recover thanks to the quick response by J.C. Perry to save the factory machinery.

The month after the fire, Richard Oliver & Balen continued representing the New York Watch Company in advertisements published in The Watchmaker and Jeweler.

Interestingly, the May 1870 advertisement was slightly modified, removing several options from the product line, including the “No. 7 H.G. Norton” and the “No. 8 Albert Clark.”

The “J.A. Briggs” name was also omitted from the listing for the “No. 6” movement, and “Homer Foot” was omitted from the listing for the “No. 4.” Movements marked “J.A. Briggs” are exceptionally rare, with two surviving examples known (#5573, #5594).

The J.A. Briggs movement reappeared associated with the “No. 6” movement in an advertisement published in the July 1870 issue.

The August 1870 issue of The Watchmaker and Jeweler included a front-page article confirming the revival of the New York Watch Company following the fire – ready for the next chapter in the company’s history.

“The fire which lately occurred at their factory very fortunately did not destroy the fine machinery, nor the stock of movements on hand, and we are glad to state that no interruption to their business has resulted therefrom.” New York Watch Company Article
The Watchmaker and Jeweler, August 1870