By 1862 the company's next marketing experiment, the William Ellery grade M57 watch, became the popular Civil War soldier's watch. Reportedly, by 1865 the soldier's watch - the Ellery - accounted for 44.6 per cent of unit sales and 30.4 per cent of the dollar volume. The Wm Ellery name was chosen as being distinctive and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence from Rhode Island. Due to the war market, though, this watch probably would have sold well under any name.
This Ellery on exhibit was made in February, 1862 with 11 jewels; steel balance, under sprung hairspring and hidden stud, but note that there are no fake jewel settings as on the Bartlett or Robbins grades. Ellery's also were offered in 7 jewels, favored for this grade. The barrel bridges on the earlier runs were engraved "Boston," perhaps to distinguish them from the P.S. Bartlett grade.
