South Bend 'The Studebaker' Model 323 open face pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c1908
This antique American open-face pocket watch by the South Bend Watch Company is catalogued as grade 323, model 2, 'The Studebaker', dating to circa 1908. Source reports it houses an 18-size, 17-jewel nickel full-plate movement adjusted to temperature and five positions, equipped with a lever escapement, micrometer regulator, and screwed jewel settings under movement number 533025.
The movement is fitted in a silver alloy open-face swing-out case measuring 57 mm in diameter by 20 mm deep with a mineral glass crystal. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position.
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
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Jewel Count
- 17 Jewels
- Case Material
- Silver alloy
- Place recorded
- United States
- Case Dimensions
- 57mm wide x 20mm deep
- Maker / attribution
- South Bend Watch Co
- Winding and Setting
- Stem wound and lever set
- Movement Serial Number
- 533025
- Movement Grade and Model
- Model 2, grade 323
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The pocket watch features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic ten-second increments. While the dealer listing text states that the dial is signed 'Studebaker', the dial in the visible record is marked 'South Bend' in script beneath the 12 o'clock numeral. The dealer reports that the watch has blue steel hands, but notes they are mismatched, adding that 'the minute hand looks like a replacement'. Dial-side mechanical interference is noted in the listing, specifically that 'the hour hand snags on the seconds hand'.
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial marked 'South Bend' in script under the 12 o'clock numeral. • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second increments. • Fluted gold-toned winding crown mounted within a circular metal bow. • Coin-edge reeding along the outer rim of the bezel.
- Case and Setting Mechanism
- The watch is housed in an open-face silver alloy case measuring 57 mm wide by 20 mm deep, fitted with a mineral glass crystal. Externally, visible observations record a fluted gold-toned winding crown mounted within a circular metal bow and coin-edge reeding along the outer rim of the bezel, while the dealer reports a smooth plain finish. Internal case access is configured with a screw-off bezel where 'the movement swings out from the front', though the seller notes this is stiff and requires a tool to lever open. Operationally, the piece is stem wound and lever set; the seller notes that the lever is very stiff to pull out and that 'the winder commonly comes out fully when you pull on it to retract and release'.
- Source Reported Movement Details
- Because internal movement components are not depicted in the provided photograph, all mechanical specifications remain source-reported. The dealer lists the movement as an 18-size, 17-jewel Model 2 nickel full-plate movement equipped with a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, and gold jewel screw settings. The movement is reported to be signed 'The Studebaker, 323, South Bend Watch Co, South Bend, Ind, 17 Jewels, Adjust to Temp & 5 positions' under serial number 533025. The seller characterizes this as an American railroad grade watch and reports a total production run of 4,000.
Identification
- Reference
- 323
- Serial number
- 533025
- 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 dealer listing describes the dial as signed 'Studebaker', but the dial in the photograph is clearly signed 'South Bend'.
- Research required: Seller notes the hands are mismatched, the minute hand appears to be a replacement, and the hour hand snags on the seconds hand.
- Research required: The internal movement is not depicted in the provided photograph; movement details are source-reported.