Benrus-Wells...their connection explored.

[retroleds]

I was discussing an early Benrus watch with another collector, and we got onto the Well-Benrus-Texas Instruments connection. What I've found:

Wells, Inc. Attleboro, Mass. Founded in 1922 by Raymond L. Wells who first started manufacturing in the old Robinson Bldg. on Railroad Avenue. At one time they advertised that they were the world's largest manufacturer of movable charms. They also manufactured other jewelry.

Wells purchased R. Blackinton & Co. in 1967. In mid-1977 they were combined with Benrus to form Wells Benrus Corp.
The company was sold in 1967 to Victor Kiam, of Remington Razors... Victor Kiam was made famous in his advertisement "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company". Unfortunately, this was the era of the cheap Japanese Quartz movement and inexpensive Timex watches which hurt most US producers of mechanical watches. Under new ownership the company was stripped of it's most valuable assets which were sold off, and used primarily for it's strong brand name recognition.

By the mid to late 70's Benrus Incorporated was a diversified manufacturer of a number of consumer products. Companies included: Benrus Watch Co. Watches, Wells, Inc. Jewelry, and Destino, Ltd. - Christian Dior Products. An attempt to consolidate all the various manufacturing enterprises under one roof proved to be a much more expensive move than anyone calculated, and a final blow to the company which subsequently filed bankrupt in 1977.

The company was then sold, and after passing through several more hands, came under the ownership of the Hampden Company, which also owned "Fantasy Diamonds", with factories in both the Virgin Islands and Chicago. An attempt was made to bring back the Benrus brand under Hampden/Fantasy, which was somewhat successful but short lived. Among others, a reissue of Vietnam service watches proved very popular.

A few pieces of interesting history - the company was the first paid sponsor of a TV program - "the Wizard of Oz". They were also one the first companies to develop a completely waterproof watch. They also manufactured the popular Dick Tracy watch & also made some Disney watches.

Texas Instruments only connection to Wells-Benrus seems to be they(T.I.) made early movements for the Wells 100 watch, and a few early Benrus'(such as the rare "pop-up driver_. After those, Benrus used modules from a range of manufactures, including Hughes, Frontier and National Semiconductor.