Harman Watch Company

[blackdog]

Anyone interested in Harman watches? My grandfather started the Harman Watch Company in New York City in 1933.

[retroworx]

How cool is that??

I am unfamiliar with the company, but I am a newbie. Do you have any photos of their watches to help educate me?

[blackdog]

har70_big-001.jpg (72.9 KiB) Viewed 8750 times

har70_big-001.jpg (72.9 KiB) Viewed 8750 times

Yes and I have also written a history of the Harman Watch Company. Attached are a few photos.

[retroworx]

Wow. I would guess those are NOS, lol.

[timeliz]

Blackdog, Thanks for your post! I'm interested in hearing more about the company.

I have one Harman awaiting for restoration. The neat thing about this one, as you can see, is the Army Air Corp personalization on the back. Did Harman use ID cases on a regular bases? I'd enjoy reading the history. Where can one find your write-up? Is it published?





Cheers!

[blackdog]

Yes, Harman used cases made by the ID Watch Case Co. ID, was a New York City company that was in business from about 1930-1942. They also made 14K solid gold cases for Harman. Harman imported Swiss movements made by A. Schild, usually with 7 or 17 jewels. The US import code for Harman was HXF, which I believe is stamped on your watch's movement. I also have a 7 jewel WWII era Harman in a sterling case. Both these watches were made in the late 30's or early 40's. Be aware, with some effort you can probably trace some information about the man who owned it, since it has his name and service number. I was able to trace mine and learned quite a lot about the owner (it also had a name and service number). I have attached a couple of photos of the watch I own. The history I wrote about the company has been submitted to the NAWCC for possible publication in their journal.

[timeliz]

That's great! I look forward to it's publication.

I actually did some initial research on Mr.Dodson and discovered his enlistment location was Nevada
and he was a local boy from the central valley here in California.

[blackdog]

Liz,
A couple of other thoughts. The movement looks a bit earlier than mine, yours might be from the 1930's. Also, the cathedral hands are definitely not 1940's. These hands were around beginning in WWI. Most of the military records from WWII were destroyed in a fire where they were stored by the US Gov't. However, the good news is that you might be able to get his final payment form that was stored at a different location. That will show, among other things, home address, discharge date, grade, number of years service, and station when he was discharged. I was also able to track down the obituary for my watch's owner. Good luck!

[timeliz]

blackdog, Thanks for the added information on where to look. I will definitely pursue this some more.

[owch]

I look forward to seeing your article.