One might first ask where this watch was found. Would you believe—Switzerland?

The friend from whom I purchased this watch had been traveling in Switzerland, looking for useful horological items. The Crossman watch turned up in the attic of a repair shop in Neuchatel, in a dusty box of tools and parts.

The Swiss shop had been in business for several generations, and the watch may have been taken there for repair. Most likely due to a lack of parts, the watch remained until its discovery many years later.

The obvious starting point for my inquiry into Mr. Crossman’s life and Maiden Lane was the NAWCC Library and Research Center. Soon, I had before me a copy of a 1953 Bulletin article by Dr. Barclay Stephens, which provides a complete history of Mr. Crossman’s life. Dr. Stephens had the good fortune to obtain Mr. Crossman’s biographical sketch from the widow of Crossman’s stepson, a Mrs. Peck. The sketch, written by Mr. Crossman  himself, was a wealth of information.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 12, 1856, Charles Crossman had decided by age 12 that his life’s career would be in the watch and jewelry trade. To this end, he entered into several apprenticeships, the first at age 14. It was during these apprenticeships that he acquired a knowledge of watchmaking. These apprenticeships took him all over the United States, to San Francisco; Virginia City, Nevada; Philadelphia; and finally New York.

Crossman’s first trip to New York City was not successful, as he could not find a suitable situation. He returned to Ann Arbor and opened a small watch repair shop.

Crossman made a go of it in his hometown for two years, but his dream was New York. The 1870s were well along when he returned to the City. He immediately found a position with Aikin, Lambert, and Co., a well-known jewelry wholesale firm. Crossman was employed in their watch department for about a year. He then moved on to Wheeler, Parsons, and Hayes, another wholesale firm, staying in their employ also for about a year in a similar position.²

These two firms provided Mr. Crossman with valuable experience and knowledge of the growing domestic watch trade. Crossman also received a thorough introduction to Maiden Lane, as both of these firms were located on this street.

When he had learned enough to begin a business on his own, he left Wheeler, Parsons, and Hayes, and, in 1880, at age 24, opened his own business at 25 Maiden Lane in the center of New York City’s jewelry district. He soon moved to John Street (one block over) then to Nassau St. (intersects Maiden Lane).

In 1888, Crossman decided his business needed to diversify into the diamond and jewelry trade. To accomplish this, he entered into a partnership with Mr. James H. Noyes, owner of Doughty & Co. The new firm became the Chas. S. Crossman and Co., located at 23 Maiden Lane.³

Here was the confirmation I needed. The Crossman watch dates from the same time period that Chas. S. Crossman and Co. was located at 23 Maiden Lane, and this address matches the one on the case. This exciting discovery was motivation to uncover more information about this interesting individual.

Even with the new venture into jewelry, Crossman remained in the watch trade, advertising in the Jeweler’s Circular classified ads as “Crossman, Chas. S. & Co. Practical Watchmaker and Repairer, also Watch jeweling for the trade. Correspondence solicited and estimates furnished. 23 Maiden Lane, N.Y.”⁴

In 1892, the Crossman firm moved to 19 Maiden Lane. Crossman bought out Mr. Noyes’ interest in the business the same year.

The last move for Chas. S. Crossman and Co. would occur in 1895, to 3 Maiden Lane,⁵ where Maiden Lane intersects with Broadway. The company’s business at that time focused more on the wholesale trade, particularly diamonds and antique jewelry. “The Old Mine Diamond House,” probably named after one of the old diamond mines in India, would become his jewelry outlet from the sixth floor of number three.⁶

The Crossman watch was no doubt produced for him by Rockford during his peak activity in the watch trade. The “Our Own” name has been observed on other private label watches.⁷ Most likely, this was a generic movement Rockford offered to customers who desired to have their name on the dial.

The case has been puzzling. All who have examined it agree that its origin is American, but the maker remains a mystery. Given Mr. Crossman’s connections with the New York City jewelry trade, which included no less than 14 watchcase manufacturers in the 1880s,⁸ he could have arranged to have cases made to his specifications to go with the movements he received from Rockford.

Mr. Crossman would remain in business on Maiden Lane for many years. No doubt he was a well-known personage among his peers.

Questions remain. How many of these watches did Crossman have produced? Were other movements used, or only Rockford? What other brands were sold from 23 Maiden Lane? One would assume that he carried only American brands, considering his published work on the American watch companies.

Of all the merchants that plied the jewelry trade on Maiden Lane, Charles Crossman was unique. His published material on the American watch industry is one of the few accounts from the nineteenth century.  Mr. Crossman’s various business interests were also quite successful. Maiden Lane saw many such ventures form quickly, and just as quickly disappear.

Much material from this time period exists, not only on Charles S. Crossman, but on other companies and individuals. This Crossman  watch—an 18-size piece of history—represents just a small part of what is to be learned from a fascinating period in American horology.

Next Page