Crowns, Springbars and, Yes, Pocketwatch Bows in 1967

 By Bruce Shawkey

Found this interesting article in a 1967 issue of Europa Star Magazine on crown/springbar production:



Every month, this factory makes 1,800,000 spring bars. That's 21,600,000 spring bars a year. In addition, the factory makes 800,000 pocketwatch bows every month. This is in 1967, by which time time pocketwatches were a quaint product of the early 20th century!

Here's some more information on Pibor's output:




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF EYEGLASSES

In the course of centuries, spectacles have become a fashion accessory, because feminine wearers have been clever enough to transform this utilitarian object into a means of adornment.  Only very few people know that spectacles have been around since the 13th century at a time in which the clergy gave very strong impulses to intellectual and cultural activity as well as to scientific research. As a matter of fact, spectacles were invented by a monk, the Englishman Roger Bacon. In the year 1267 he discovered the so-called "reading glass" which was made from beryl, a light green semi-precious stone which magnified manuscript letters. The first "reading glass" was rarely used by women in those remote days, as only a few of them were able to read. At that time it was the privilege of the wealthy nobility to own a sight-aid. The cost of a reading glass was very high, while its manufacture was a lengthy process.  Later another glass was added to this single reading glass ...
Read more

Juvenia

Image
Juvenia is not often thought of as a "serious" watch company due to number of novelty watches they created over the decades. Yet the company produced many of its own movement Calibers and is just as serious as any other watch company as you will soon see. They are also one of the few Swiss watch companies to have manufactured watches continuously without interruption since its creation. The firm was founded in 1860 by Jacques Didishiem.    A hotbed of innovation, Juvenia developed a variety of creations, such as ring watches, pendant watches, table clocks and standing clocks. Their range included a number of significant gift items, such as their table clocks. These were an ideal medium for craftsmen to let their imaginations run wild and create richly decorated pieces. Recognized for their mastery in the art of decorating  time, the company was rewarded at the Grand Prix des Arts Décoratifs de Paris in 1925, the exposition which gave birth to the term Art Deco. These mode...
Read more

Timex

Image
 By Bruce Shawkey Some vintage (and not-so vintage) Timex watches over the years. This is from the website https://alanwatch.homestead.com/. Many interesting watches, some expensive, many not so expensive. Shows that collection on a budget is still possible with a little creativity and research. The website and its images are copyright, but I am hereby giving full credit to Alan. Timex Men's Chronograph, 1950s, "Southampton" model. Not really a true chrono, but a nice watch in which the lever at 2 will stop and start the red sweep second hand, and send it flying back. The hands look steel, and have green radium luminous material. Hours on the dial are painted luminous. 1954 Timex with Sea Scouts emblem. Boy Scouts "Marlin," with striking black dial and green luminous material. Appears to be a very rare find, at this point. Timex Electric. Early 1960s. The setting crown is on the back. Mechanical watch, run by battery. Timex Electric. Early 1960s. The setting cro...
Read more