Serial Lookup

Choose a manufacturer, enter the serial number, or search by trade name and private label.

Sign In Notifications

Important Note

A variety of Swiss Imitation American movements are marked "Rock Island" or "R.I.W.Co." These are not products of the original Rock Island Watch Company in Rock Island, Illinois.

Rock Island Watch Co.

Location: Rock Island, Illinois

Years of Operation: 1870-1872

A variety of Swiss Imitation American movements are marked "Rock Island" or "R.I.W.Co." These are not products of the original Rock Island Watch Company in Rock Island, Illinois.

Serial Number Lookup

The Rock Island Watch Company was organized with $100,00 capital in 1870. The objective was to manufacture an inexpensive watch by purchasing the patents and machinery owned by the Mozart Watch Company of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Unfortunately, upon delivery of the machinery, it was found to be essentially worthless. For two years, the factory remained idle as the legal ramifications for the deal were settled. After failing to satisfy promissory notes for the machinery, it was returned to the Mozart Watch Company. The machinery was then used to start the Freeport Watch Company, where it was destroyed by arson in 1875.

Company Timeline

1870

After only manufacturing roughly 30 movements, The Mozart Watch Co. ceases operations and the company equipment is sold to Rock Island Watch Co. for $40,000 and $25,000 in stock. The existing movements are finished and given to the stockholders and friends of the Mozart Watch Co.

1871

The Rock Island Watch Co. is organized. After not finding a suitable location in Rock Island, Illinois, a factory is constructed a few miles south of the town, in Milan, Illinois.

1872

After the Rock Island Watch Co. moves the purchased equipment to Milan, Illinois, they decide it is not what they need and refuse to pay the $15,000 note to The Mozart Watch Co. After arbitration, the equipment originally sold to the Rock Island Watch Co. is repossesed along with a payment of $5,000.

1872

The Rock Island Watch Co. ceases operations.