New Book- The Elgin Watchmaker’ College- by Gary Fox

Canuck · May 16, 2021

A new book by Canadian author, Gary Fox. The Elgin Watchmaker’s College. This book is hot off the presses 200 pages, hard cover. Available only directly from the author. Price is $55.00 (Cdn.) Gary can be reached at:

[email protected]

I have included a picture of the book cover, and a foreword from Gary giving an outline of the text.

FOREWORD- Gary Fox.

The Elgin watchmakers college opened its doors in 1922. Under the direction of Henry Playtner, William Samelius, and Raymond Soucie, the college trained more that 4,500 students the art of watchmaking, jewellery repair, and engraving. In operation for 53 years, the college earned an enviable reputation for the Elgin Watch Company, with graduating students taking positions in the United States, and internationally. The book introduces the directors and many of the students, and instructors. It speaks to the program and how it changed over the decades, and how it supported the war effort in the 1940s. It speaks of life at the school, and sadly, how it had to close

View attachment 1220583

Canuck · May 18, 2021

I received my books today, (one for me, and four for friends). This book is the culmination of several years of research, and a whole lot of leg work by Gary. I just know it will be a good read.

UncleBuck · May 18, 2021

Canuck
I just know it will be a good read.

Let me know, Doug, I live a few dozen miles from Elgin, Il. and might be interested from a historical/geographical perspective even though wristwatches are my thing!

The link won't go through, for some reason.

Canuck · May 18, 2021

@UncleBuck ,

The link you refer to is Gary’s email address. It works for me. I am sure Gary can give you any information you might need if you send him a request. The first director of the Elgin Watchmaker’s College was a Canadian that ran the Canadian Horological Institute in Toronto, from 1890 to 1913. I am only 20 pages into the book, and it will be a good read.

UncleBuck · May 18, 2021

I love telling locals, even those living in Elgin, the significance of Elgin and the Elgin Watch Co.
Most here think time-keeping was invented by Timex, Rolex(a redundancy, I know!) and now, Apple.

UncleBuck · May 18, 2021

Canuck
The link you refer to is Gary’s email address.

Doug, I can't pull up the attachment but I have a flip-phone and that might be relevant.

Canuck · May 18, 2021

The fog clears! The attachment shown in that post refers to the image of Samelius, as shown on the front cover of Gary’s book. The picture I refer to is there, in the post. That link (were it to be live) would only lead to the picture shown in the post. Gary sent me five or six images from the book, last week, before my books got here. But I didn’t feel posting them all would be meaningful.

Canuck · May 18, 2021

UncleBuck
Let me know, Doug, I live a few dozen miles from Elgin, Il. and might be interested from a historical/geographical perspective even though wristwatches are my thing!

The link won't go through, for some reason.

James,

You are doubtless aware that Elgin was also in the wrist watch business. I think I am safe in saying that of the 90-odd million watches Elgin produced, probably half of them were wrist watches. One graduate of the 1947 class (now deceased) was a local retail jeweller and railroad watch inspector. He was a personal friend of mine. He is mentioned in the book.

SWSovereign · Nov 5, 2022

I've just found this page through a Google search and joined the forum. I belong to multiple other watch forums but was not familiar with this one as Omega is not one of the primary brands I follow. I'm interested in this book as my father graduated from the Elgin Watchmakers' College sometime in the early 1950's. I'm not sure of the exact year, but he graduated from high school in 1949, and I don't think he waited long before he enrolled. I searched Amazon for the book, thinking I might find it there as they often have even obscure books, but I had no such luck. I'll email the author and ask if he knows of any online sources where I can order it, or if I can purchase it directly from him. If, however, anyone sees this and wants to reply, that would be appreciated too.

Canuck · Nov 5, 2022

S SWSovereign
I've just found this page through a Google search and joined the forum. I belong to multiple other watch forums but was not familiar with this one as Omega is not one of the primary brands I follow. I'm interested in this book as my father graduated from the Elgin Watchmakers' College sometime in the early 1950's. I'm not sure of the exact year, but he graduated from high school in 1949, and I don't think he waited long before he enrolled. I searched Amazon for the book, thinking I might find it there as they often have even obscure books, but I had no such luck. I'll email the author and ask if he knows of any online sources where I can order it, or if I can purchase it directly from him. If, however, anyone sees this and wants to reply, that would be appreciated too.

To the best of my knowledge, the book is only available from the author, Gary Fox, who lives in Ottawa. Gary also has published a book on the Canadian Horological Institute which operated in Toronto for about 20 years. After the CHI closed, the founder, Henry Playtner, went on to Elgin, Illinois, to open the Elgin School of Watchmaking. It sounds as though you have Gary’s contact info, but just in case, here it is again.

[email protected] Or [email protected]

Both books have considerable merit.