THE REVOLUTION IN WATCHMAKING 361 



quite small for clocks, and at least one was made as an ex- 

 periment for a pocket piece. It was thick and large, and 

 used as a toy and for advertising purposes, retailing in some 

 instances for $2.50, whereas to-day a much better watch, 

 both in appearance and in accuracy, can be bought for $1, 

 guaranteed for a year. But it was a beginning. The move- 

 ment was that of a clock, with a pin escapement. Hence the 

 cheap w^atch is sometimes called a clock watch, although 

 it is true that the high grade watches of to-day are also a 

 development of the clock idea, but at a long remove, the defi- 

 nite line of variation having appeared many years ago. The 

 secretary of a clock company making these low priced watches 

 writes: ''In the evolution of this article from our regular 

 goods, the progress has been so gradual that at no distinct 

 time have we felt that we could draw the line where the 

 clock stopped and the watch began. It is identical in charac- 

 ter with our small clocks, and we have felt that the term 

 pocket clock was a legitimate and more accurate description 

 than to class it as a watch. It does not have the element of 

 value and solid construction usually associated with a watch." 

 The cheap watches are now made as small as ladies' size, 

 are stem winding, and Tvdll last, it is said, five years, including 

 a year or two of fairly accurate timekeeping. The dials are 

 of various colors and designs, the effort now being, in some 

 instances, to make railroad and world's time dials. The 

 remarkable cheapness of the low grade watch is chiefly due 

 to automatic machinery and the factory system. Not much 

 finish, which is a costly matter, is possible. There are no 

 jewels used against which the pivots may rest, as in the higher 

 grade watches, to insure close accuracy and durabiUty by 

 lessening friction; nearly all parts are stamped out, not cut 

 out; the mainsprings and hairsprings are of the quahty re- 

 quired for comparatively rough work, and have been greatly 

 reduced in cost by modern processes of manufacture in the 

 United States; and the time devoted to testing and adjust- 

 ment is necessarily Hmited. What can be expected in a 

 movement and case which, perhaps, must be sold at whole- 

 sale at the rate of 60 cents the watch? The marvel is that it 

 is possible to give so much. 



