Rumford Watch Co.
Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
Years of Operation: 1894-1895
Successor: Columbia Watch Co.
The Rumford Watch Company was organized in 1894 by E.A. Locke to manufacture inexpensive watches in Waltham, Massachusetts. Despite promising plans, the company was never able to materialize.
Serial Number Lookup
The August 29, 1894 issue of The Jewelers' Circular announced that E.A. Locke was planning to locate a new watch factory in Waltham.
However, it was doubted that the company would be successful. The September 7, 1894 issue of The Illinois State Journal noted that Mr. Eaton thought the Rumford watch could not be made cheaper than others on the market and referenced the financial difficulty of the existing Waterbury Watch Company.
Some reports indicate that Mr. Locke intended to move the Waterbury company to Waltham. The November 27, 1894 issue of the Boston Globe stated, "Is is understood that E.A. Locke, the founder of the Waterbury watch plant, is to remove his factory to Waltham in a short while."
Despite the negativity, the December 12, 1894 issue of The Jewelers' Circular noted land was purchased on Crescent St. for the factory.
The January 9, 1895 issue reported machinery was being constructed for the factory, and the company planned to beginning watchmaking with 100 employees by the end of the year.
Mentions of the new watch company fizzle out after this mention, suggesting the company failed to fully launch under the Rumford name.
E.A. Locke would go on to successfully organize the Columbia Watch Company in Waltham in 1896 as a continuation his ambitious project.
However, it was doubted that the company would be successful. The September 7, 1894 issue of The Illinois State Journal noted that Mr. Eaton thought the Rumford watch could not be made cheaper than others on the market and referenced the financial difficulty of the existing Waterbury Watch Company.
Some reports indicate that Mr. Locke intended to move the Waterbury company to Waltham. The November 27, 1894 issue of the Boston Globe stated, "Is is understood that E.A. Locke, the founder of the Waterbury watch plant, is to remove his factory to Waltham in a short while."
Despite the negativity, the December 12, 1894 issue of The Jewelers' Circular noted land was purchased on Crescent St. for the factory.
The January 9, 1895 issue reported machinery was being constructed for the factory, and the company planned to beginning watchmaking with 100 employees by the end of the year.
Mentions of the new watch company fizzle out after this mention, suggesting the company failed to fully launch under the Rumford name.
E.A. Locke would go on to successfully organize the Columbia Watch Company in Waltham in 1896 as a continuation his ambitious project.
Company Timeline
1894
Rumford Watch Co. begins operations.
1895
Rumford Watch Co. ceases operations.