South Bend Studebaker 16s 21-jewel pocket watch, circa 1926

Technical characteristics

Type

Railroad watch

Dimensions

50mm wide x 13mm deep

Place recorded

United States

Movement design

Model 2, nickel 3 finger bridge movement

Case construction

Gold plated open face case with screw on back and bezel

Maker / attribution

South Bend Watch Co.

Movement serial number

1162931

Maker and model signature

Studebaker, South Bend Watch Co, USA 21 Jewels, 8 Adjustments

Design

Visible features

• Rectangular bow above a fluted winding crown at 12 o'clock • Carved leaf-patterned relief on the outer front bezel • Double-sunk dial layout with sunken central section and recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock • Black Arabic hour numerals accompanied by red outer Arabic five-minute indicators • Blued steel spade hands with small seconds hand at 6 o'clock • Dial signed 'SOUTH BEND' beneath 12 o'clock

Dial and Visual Presentation

The pocket watch displays a silvered dial described by the dealer as having a champagne colour and a double-sunk layout. Direct visual observation confirms a recessed central section along with an inset subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. The hour track is indicated by black Arabic numerals, framed by an outer ring of red Arabic numerals marking five-minute intervals. Time is shown with blued steel spade hands and a small subsidiary seconds hand. Beneath the 12 o'clock marker, the dial is signed 'SOUTH BEND'. The watch is fitted with mineral glass and set within an open-face bezel with carved leaf-pattern relief, topped by a fluted crown and rectangular bow.

Case Construction and Observed Limitations

The movement is housed in a gold-plated open-face case measuring 50 mm wide by 13 mm deep, featuring a screw-on bezel and back. The seller reports decorative carved edges and engine turning on the case. Direct observation is limited because the reverse of the case is not depicted. Dealer condition notes state that the case shows wear, including a ring of base metal emerging through the gold plating on the back, rubbing to the engine turning, and hand-engraved marks on the inner cover.

Reported Movement and Technical Specification

The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided catalogue photograph, and technical specifications rely entirely on dealer documentation. The seller describes it as a nickel 3-finger bridge Model 2 movement equipped with a lever escapement and a micrometer regulator. Operating via stem wind and stem set, the movement is reported to be signed 'Studebaker, South Bend Watch Co, USA 21 Jewels, 8 Adjustments' with serial number 1162931. The listing dates the watch to circa 1926 and notes that this model is marked 'Studebaker'. The dealer assesses the movement condition as '85% mint condition', reporting marks on the winding wheel and light scratches.

Identification

Reference

Model 2

Serial number

1162931

Inventory code

4.103 (AB-186603)

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.