In just a few short years, a small band of mechanical geniuses & daring entrepreneurs transformed the American watchmaking industry from small-scale production by a few skilled artisans into the bustling factories of Waltham and Elgin, turning out millions of watches each year. Written by Henry G. Abbott, a contemporary of the founding fathers of American watchmaking, The Watch Factories of America tells the story of this transformation. Interweaving the histories of the men, the companies, and the technologies, Abbott portrays an industry in its infancy: fertile ground for innovation, but also for wild swings of fate. Discover how this shift not only transformed watchmaking but also set new standards for manufacturing across industry, leaving a lasting impact on global technology and design.