Document And Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 28, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	EASTERN CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000031107
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 77,024,016
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,168,237
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2011