The Aurora Watch Company, founded in 1883 in Aurora, Illinois, was a short-lived but ambitious American watch manufacturer known for producing high-quality pocket watches. Despite its craftsmanship, the company struggled financially due to intense competition from established watchmakers like Waltham and Elgin. Aurora specialized in mid-range and high-grade watches, featuring innovative designs and reliable movements, yet it could not achieve the economies of scale necessary to compete in the growing market.
In 1891, after years of financial difficulties, the company ceased operations, and its assets were acquired by investors who merged it with the Keystone Standard Watch Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, laying the foundation for what would become the Hamilton Watch Company.