Second Century of Service

From The American Horologist and Jeweler magazine, February, 1942

Second Century of Service
By ALBERT C. SMITH

With abundant confidence in the future of democracy and with the security growing out of one hundred years of honorable service in the past. Bigelow Kennard Company, one of Boston's oldest jewelry firms, has proudly opened a sparkling new building in Back Bay Boston.

The unique Waltham Watch Company time ball clock, which for so II)any years has been a mark of distinction at this firm' s West Street store, now extends its friendly greeting from a majestic perch in front of the new quarters. This lone reminder is a fitting dedication to the past. Everything else at the Boylston Street establishment is the very last thing in modernity.

Designed and completed under the guiding hand of Alvin W. Krone of the Bigelow Kennard Company, this new structure offers a variety of features that make for comfort, effective display and beauty. Air-conditioning is a particular advantage appreciated by both patron and clerk. Overhead lighting is achieved without glare or discomfort by use of a series of recessed panels aligned in squares and utilizing a combination of incandescent and fluorescent intensities to secure a soft illumination which harmonizes with the light gray and dusty pink color scheme of the store interior.

Huge, bulky show cases are omitted in the floor arrangement. In neat, g lass covered tables conveniently spaced along the center of the floor, watches, rings and novelty pieces bask in a brilliant setting of hidden light. Along the side walls of the store, Bigelow Kennard has inaugurated a novel idea in displays. Open alcoves invite a casual inspection of the precious burden of solid silver, plate and leather goods which linger upon the shelves.

Watches and watch repair have always been an important part of Bigelow Kennard's program of service to the public. During all of their years in business, they have been famous both for the wide line of excellent domestic watches on hand at all times and their exceptional collection of imported time pieces, also. Even Kit Carson, famous old Indian persuader, appreciated the opportunity to deal with a reliable firm. A collection of old letters reveals that Carson not only ordered numerous heavy watches from this company (which then went under the name of Bigelow Brothers and Kennard) but also entrusted them with supplying an extensive list of items ranging from a beaver hat to newspapers and a heavy silver flask made with "a plenty of silver to resist dents." 

The old branch on West Street will continue to function as usual to cater to the needs of downtown Bostonians.

Perhaps the healthiest sign in this whole venture, and certainly one of the finest tributes to the managerial policies of Bigelow Kennard is the length of service accumulated by its personnel. The new store will be in charge of men who have been with the company for periods ranging from 15 to 55 years.