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Swiss Reproductions
After pocket watch production ceased in 1914, the firm returned to clock-making and filed for trademark protection in the mid-1920s. Several companies bought the rights to use the Seth Thomas name, including Talley, General Timekeeping, Westclox, and Colibri.
This page identifies those later and more modern reproductions, none of which are vintage and are not addressed on this website.
Swiss Pocket Watches
The Cases
From the outside, Swiss reproduction cases are meant to look antique but have too little mileage on them to be a century old. They have multiple motifs vying for space, such as the apron-wearing blacksmith holding a waterwheel on this shoulder while standing next to his anvil and a leg vise. Behind him is an arched bridge, telegraph lines, and factory chimneys belching smoke.
The Dials
There are several immediate signs that the dials on Swiss fakes are not from the railroad era. They are usually marked "Swiss-Made" at the bottom of the dial, have a registered trademark (®) next to the signature, and they have a sweep center hand, something that genuine Seth Thomas pocket watches never had.
The Movements
Like the dial, the movement is also marked Swiss, and if that weren't enough of a tip-off, all the parts are stamped with sharp edges, rivets have clearly been used in places, and none of the surfaces are brushed, finished, or carry any kind of pattern.
Please do not write asking what these are worth.
Travel Clocks
The Dials
European and Asian companies made small folding travel clocks that fronted the Seth Thomas name, regardless of the trademark. The dial on this is example was made in Taiwan, and it has a sweep center hand, which genuine Seth Thomas Companions didn't have. Regardless of quality, these are not addressed on this website.
The Alarm Feature
Reproductions from the 1950s and later usually had a mechanical alarm function. While a very useful thing to have, Seth Thomas pieces from the American railroad era did not have alarm functions.
The Packaging
One of the most obvious tip-offs is the country of origin on the packaging if you take the time to look for it. China, makers of fine viruses, had nothing to do with the history of the Seth Thomas Clock Co or its 30-year run of pocket watch production.
Please do not write asking what these are worth.
Alarm Clocks
The Dials
Again, the presence of a center sweep hand should be the tip-off, and if there's any doubt, Seth Thomas did not use the radioactive isotope radium in their hands or on the dials.
The Alarm Feature
Again, reproductions from the 1950s and later usually had a mechanical alarm function. While a very useful thing to have, these also are not Seth Thomas pieces from the American railroad era.
Please do not write asking what these are worth.
Seth Thomas Highlights
The rarest regular-production two-tone pattern of all, made in one block of seventy - and then never again.