South Bend Masonic dial open face pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1919
This is a 12-size American open-face pocket watch attributed to the South Bend Watch Co., dated to circa 1919 by the dealer. It is housed in a gold-plated case measuring approximately 45 mm in diameter by 10 mm deep, fitted with a bevelled mineral glass, a screw-on bezel, and a screw-on case back.
The silvered dial features blued steel hands and replaces conventional numerals with gold-toned Masonic emblems surrounding an ornate gilt central roundel. A subsidiary seconds track is situated at 6 o'clock. The dealer reports an internal nickel bridge movement stamped model 429 with 19 jewels.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Size
- 12 size
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Dimensions
- 45mm wide x 10mm deep
- Dial Detailing
- Masonic symbols instead of numbers
- Place recorded
- United States
- Case Construction
- Gold plated open face case
- Winding Mechanism
- Stem wound / stem set
- Maker / attribution
- South Bend Watch Co.
- Movement Inscription
- South Bend Watch Co, USA, 429, 19 Jewels, Adj Temp 4 positions
Design
- Visible features
- • Frontal view shows a silvered dial surrounded by a black railway-style outer minute track. • Hour positions are marked by gilt and black Masonic emblems, including the square and compasses at 12 o'clock. • A central decorative gilt disc features scrolling foliate carving and is signed 'SOUTH BEND' in black capital letters. • A gold-toned subsidiary seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals and blued steel hand. • The watch features blued steel spade-style hour and minute hands. • The gold-plated case incorporates an open bow and a fluted crown at 12 o'clock.
- Dial and Visual Presentation
- The watch features a silvered dial where standard numeric hour indicators are replaced by gold-toned Masonic emblems, including the square and compasses positioned at 12 o'clock. Surrounding the perimeter is a black railway-style outer minute track, while blued steel spade-style hands display the hours and minutes. At the centre of the dial sits a decorative gilt disc embellished with foliate carving and signed 'SOUTH BEND' in black capital lettering. A dedicated gold-toned subsidiary seconds track is situated at 6 o'clock, marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals and paired with an individual blued steel hand. The dial is protected by a bevelled mineral glass.
- Case Construction and Dimensions
- The movement is housed in a 12-size gold-plated open-face case attributed to South Bend, measuring 45 mm in diameter and 10 mm in depth. Operational components visible at the 12 o'clock position include an open bow and a fluted winding crown suited for stem winding and stem setting. According to the dealer description, the case construction relies on a screw-on back cover and a screw-on bezel. The dealer also notes that the reverse is embellished with engine turning and an unengraved vacant crest, though the back exterior is not depicted in the available photograph.
- Reported Movement and Dating Limitations
- The internal mechanism is not visible in the catalogue imagery and is documented solely through dealer reporting. The movement is stated to be a nickel bridge calibre featuring a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, and striped damascening decoration across the plates. Dealer records transcribe the movement inscription as 'South Bend Watch Co, USA, 429, 19 Jewels, Adj Temp 4 positions'. While the listing assigns a production date of circa 1919, no movement or case serial numbers are recorded in the source to corroborate this timeframe against South Bend factory production records.
Identification
- Reference
- 429
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The movement and rear case back are not depicted in the provided photograph and rely solely on dealer description.
- Research required: The production date of circa 1919 is dealer-reported and not corroborated by visible serial numbers.