Watchmaking in Oregon

Here's a profile of Keaton Myrick and watchmaking in the fine state of Oregon!

http://www.watchesbysjx.com/2013/03/profile-keaton-myrick-and-watchmaking.html

Master Watchmakers' Association of Oregon

From The American Horologist magazine, May, 1937

Master Watchmakers' Association of Oregon
Meeting of April 6th, 1937

The Master Watchmakers Association of Oregon held an open meeting in the Chamber of Commerce Building on April 6th, 1937, at 6 :30 P.M. A regular dinner was served to about forty watchmakers. The meeting was opened informally with President Drews in the chair. Other officers present were: N. S. Conger, Vice President; L. W. Ross, Treasurer; W. W. Siemen of Gresham, Director; L. W. Young, Director; Wm. R. Johnson, Director; Harold Sabro, Secretary. 

President Drews stated that nominations for candidates to attend the convention in Chicago were in order: N. S. Conger nominated Harold Sabro; L. W. Hugett nominated R. E. Drews. The president asked that not too many candidates be nominated to complicate matters. The roll was called by the secretary.

The resolutions by Sabro, sent to our national association: Uniform ledger and dependable radio time signals from Arlington were adopted.

Collins Garfield was next declared the most popular in our group and was presented with a Sunbeam Mixmaster, donated by Butterfield Brothers for the occasion. The moving picture "Time," loaned to the association for the evening by the Elgin Watch Company, was then shown and was very well received. Talks were given by H. E. Anderson, R. E. Drews, Harold Sabro and L. W. Hugett, after which the meeting adjourned in good fellowship.

Otto R. Sabro, Oregon, Moves

From The American Horologist magazine, January 1939

Otto R. Sabro, Oregon, Moves

Mr. Sabra, previously located at 1672 S. E. Bybee Blvd., moved to larger quarters December 3, 1938. He is now located at 7021 S. E. Milwaukee Avenue.

We wish brother Sabra a world of success in his new quarters.

Master Watchmakers Association of Oregon

From The American Horologist magazine, October 1936

Master Watchmakers Association of Oregon

A LARGE and and enthusiastic attendance marked the first meeting of the season of the Master Watchmakers Association of Oregon held on Tuesday evening, September 29th. This meeting was in the form of a dinner and musical entertainment and the viewing of some interesting motion pictures of deep sea fishing. The friendly spirit prevailing at this gathering was most outstanding and as was expressed by president Drews, "If nothing else had been accomplished this alone compensated for every effort put forth by the association."


The editors of TIMEOLOGY wish to inform the watchmakers of the Pacific Northwest that TIMEOLOGY was discontinued for the months of September and October to enable them to contribute to the October issue of THE AMERICAN HOROLOGIST.


Mr. Robert Smith of the B. L. Foote Silversmith arrived home recently from an extended trip to Chicago and New York, returning by way of Los Angeles and San Francisco, which enabled him to inspect the most modern and up-to-date plating and repairing shops and gain first-hand knowledge before purchasing some new equipment and supplies. While in the East he visited his family whom he had not seen in many years.



Oregon is prospering. Several new jewelers have located in Oregon recently from various parts of the country, these being, B. F. Broders, Coquille, Oregon, Hensley & Bickett, North Bend, Oregon, Erwin A. Kern, Silverton, Oregon, Jacob Jordan, Lebanon, Oregon, A. B. Gayner, Molalla, Oregon, and Paul Detert, Newberg, Oregon.


One of the few EXCLUSIVE wholesale material houses still operating on the Pacific Coast is Bernard Italie, Inc.  This concern purchased the William Andresen & Co. of Portland, Oregon, 
fifteen years ago. After the passing of its president, Mr. Bernard Italie, in January of 1936, the company was reorganized, and now operates as Bernard Italie, Inc., its officers being Houston Holdorf, president, Alice H. Italie, vice-president and secretary, and Esther E. Eckberg, treasurer. Mr. Romain Ringham is manager of the material department, assisted by Howard Peterson.
Butterfield Bros., Portland, Oregon, oldest wholesale jeweleres in the Pacific Northewest, 
have enlarged and completely remodeled their store quarters. Their sales and stock rooms now occupy one half of the second floor of the Mohawk Building, where they have been located for the past thirty-six years. All old equipment has been remodeled and new equipment added to better stock and display their many lines of jewelry, silverware, clocks, watches, materials, and optical goods. All merchandise is now located and displayed near large outside windows. In addition, flush ceiling lights are used for illumininating show case displays. The new floor covering of white and brown marble effect adds further to brightness and cheerfulness of the display rooms. Additional space has been alloted to each merchandise department, and many facilities for handling customers' orders have been added. A thoroughly trained and efficient organization of thirty employees are ready in their new quarters to serve the jewelry and optical trade. 


The management believes that the future of the jewelry industry and growth of the Pacific Northwest, fully justifies their expansion and modernization program.

KM Watches

I don't know how I was previously unaware of this, but KM Watches creates timepieces in Sisters Oregon.  It's great looking work, and watches made in the US are a rare things.

http://www.kpmwatchcompany.com/_/Home_Page.html

Master Watchmakers' Association of Oregon

From The American Horologist magazine, May 1937

Meeting of April 6th, 1937

"The Master Watchmakers Association of Oregon held an open meeting in the Chamber of Commerce Building on April 6th, 1937, at 6:30 P.M. A regular dinner was served to about forty watchmakers. The meeting was opened informally with President Drews in the chair. Other officers present were: N. S. Conger, Vice President; L W. Ross, Treasurer; W. W. Siemen of Gresham, Director; L. W. Young, Director; Wm. R. Johnson, Director; Harold Sabro, Secretary.

"President Drews stated that nominations for candidates to attend the convention in Chicago were in order: N. S. Conger nominated Harold Sabro; L. W. Hugett nominated R. E. Drews. The president asked that not too many candidates be nominated. The roll was called by the secretary.

"The resolutions by Sabro, sent to our national association: Uniform ledger and dependable radio time signals from Arlington were adopted.

"Collins Garfield was next declared the most popular in our group and was presented with a Sunbeam Mixmaster, donated by Butterfield Brothers for the occation. The moving picture "Time," loaned to the association for the evening by the Elgin Watch Company, was then shown and was very well received. Talks were given by H. E. Anderson, R. E. Drews, Harold Sabro and L. W. Hugett, after which the meeting adjourned in good followship."

Elgin Watchmakers College Trains Men for State Examinations

From The American Horologist magazine, November 1941

"Twenty-two students trained at the Elgin Watchmakers College in Elgin, Illinois, have passed state examinations and are now employed as journeymen watchmakers in those states, it was recently announced by W. H. Samelius, Director of the Elgin Watchmakers College.

"Licensing laws for watchmakers are now effective in the states of Oregon, Wisconsin, and Indiana. And instruction at the Elgin Watchmakers College is directed toward giving students a well-rounded background to meet and pass the high standards of those state examinations. In addition to a thorough technical training, students here receive actual shop experience under the supervision of master Elgin craftsmen. At the completion of their courses, these students welcome the opportunity to take state examinations. They know the such examinations are reciprocal and recognized as standards of fine workmanship throughout the country. Once he has passed such an examination, the student knows he will be in a position to obtain a top-notch watchmaker's job wherever he may be. A limited number of openings are available from time to time at the Elgin Watchmakers College for ambitious young men over 17 interested in entering this highly-paid profession. Sponsored by the Elgin Nation Watch Company, this world -famous institution has developed hundreds of today's leading jewelers and watch experts."