- 1842
- Edward Howard and Aaron Dennison become
acquainted.
1845
- Dennison considers making brass clock
with interchangeable parts.
- Dennison devises size gauging system for
filing and making watch parts.
- Dennison decides on the large full plate
English lever watch as his model.
- Dennison is inspired by the production
methods at the U.S. Armory in
Springfield, Mass. [why
not at a clock factory?]
- Thousands of brass clocks are being made
in Bristol, Conn, with
interchangeable parts.
- Did Dennison know Pierre
Ingold Re: British Watch & Clockmaking Co.
1849
- Dennison convinces Howard that making
watches on the interchangeable system would be a better business
opportunity than making locomotives. "They're just small
clocks."
- Howard arranges initial capital of $20,000
from Samuel Curtis;
Mr. Curtis being equal partners with Dennison and Howard &
Davis Co.
1850
- Dennison goes to England to learn watch
making processes and to find sources of material.
1851
- Factory built on Hamden Street in Roxbury,
Mass.
- Company name of American Horologe Co.
changed to Warren Manufacturing Co. to hide intent of company
from English suppliers.
- Dennison builds first model 8-day watch,
which it and tools were failures.
- N.P. Stratton salvages plans and material
by building 30-hour model.
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1852
- Dennison pursues idea to build 8-day watch
which the Marsh brothers successfully modeled.
- Dennison is convinced to abandon the 8-day
in favor of the 30-hour because of manufacturing problems and
costs for their intended market.
- Possibly 17 Howard, Davis & Dennison
8-day watches were made.
Early 1853
- The Warren watch was produced (18 - 100).
- In tribute to famous General Joseph Warren.
- English style, slow train, going barrel,
solid balance, 30 hour.
Late 1853
- The Samuel Curtis watch was produced (101
- 1000).
- In honor of their first investor.
- Hired Rhode Island silversmith to make
cases.
- Changed company name to Boston Watch Co.
1854
- The Dennison, Howard & Davis watch
was produced (1001 - 5000).
- Possibly as many as 500 at Roxbury.
- A number of design improvements were made
from the Samuel Curtis.
- Built factory at Waltham in land deal
with Waltham Improvement Co.
(Nov 1, 1853, James Brown bought Bemis farm on Charles
River that Dennison wanted)
1855/56
- Producing 30 watches/week with 90 employees
which was not yet competitive. Howard says in 1883 letter, "It
was certain that we were losing money on every movement made."
- No mention by either Dennison or Howard
of lack of sales or stockpiling of movements, nor of layoffs
of employees.
- Keith's explanation was that the company
was under capitalized.
April 9, 1857 Bankruptcy Auction
- Royal Robbins --> TB&Co., AT&Co.,
Am. Watch Co., WWCo.
- E. Howard and Charles Rice --> H&R,
E. Howard & Co.
- 4,000 DH&D movements were produced
& sold -- but by whom?
- Why do AT&Co M57s start at 5001 and
Howard & Rice start at 6001?
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