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SOUTH-BEND POLARIS WITH BOX AND PAPERS "Click" to Login or Register 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

South-Bend Polaris is generally considered the ultimate South-Bend watch. At the time these were introduced, several other companies were putting forward a prestige watch. So not to be outdone South-Bend reworked their best 16-size grade Open-Face, the 295 (294 is hunter) movement. Only five hundred numbers were blocked. All the Polaris movements were fitted with "South-Bend Polaris" dials then factory cased and timed in one of three South-Bend marked Solid-Gold cases. They were shipped to retailers in a "tiger maple" presentation box with a lifetime guarantee included.


Here is 518137 correctly cased along with box and papers...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

South-Bend Polaris dial, the simple design speaks quality...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Plain-polished solid-gold case with the first owner's initials...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Details of the 14K solid Gold Case are simple but elegant...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Movement number 518137 is a 21-Jewel first model beauty...


 
IHC Member 234
Picture of Jim Cope
posted
...that's a WOW Lindell!!!was that regulator unique to SB?...


Jim
IHC#234
 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Thanks Jim,

Yes, that regulator interestingly combines a simple, practical design with real ease of adjustment.

Lindell

Wink
 
IHC Life Member
posted
Now this a dandy watch. Just dandy! Smile

Larry
 
IHC Member 376
Watchmaker
Picture of Samie L. Smith
posted
Super nice watch Lindell and a rare one thanks for showing it..
 
Picture of David Johnson
posted
Lin,

I'm sorry.......now when was it that you said you were putting this one up for auction starting at a dollar with no reserve? Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin Eek Wink
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.Just in case your jaw dropped, you know I'm kidding you right? Razz
 
IHC Member 327
Life Member 20
Picture of Mark Shearholdt
posted
Lindell,
I thought you would want to take a look at one of your favorite watches.

South Bend Polaris Serial #518467

Photo 1 of 4

Mark Shearholdt

Dial
 
IHC Member 327
Life Member 20
Picture of Mark Shearholdt
posted
Photo 2 of 4

Case
 
IHC Member 327
Life Member 20
Picture of Mark Shearholdt
posted
Photo 3 of 4

 
IHC Member 327
Life Member 20
Picture of Mark Shearholdt
posted
Photo 4 of 4

I am here at Jones and Horan Auction Team sitting with George Jones who showed me this watch and thought you might be interested. George would like to know what you think about the case. Is this Keystone 14K case original or a recase? By the way George says this watch will be auctioned on June 19, 2005.

Mark

 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Hello Mark and George,

That is a nice Polaris movement, hands and dial, very interesting example, but the Keystone case is not original. There was an engine turned case design available for the Polaris but let us be clear on this, it had "South-Bend Watch Co. - South Bend Ind." on the cuvette like you see in the fourth image of this topic. Interestingly, one of the Polaris cases in my collection shows a Brooklyn trademark near the 14K marking, apparently Brooklyn Watch Case Company made the Polaris cases.

Another point, the auction watch winding wheels are not original, but rest of the movement, dial and hands look good The movement number 518467 fits into the generally recognized 518001 through 518500 parameters. There was an earlier test run of Polaris movements and a few Grade 295 examples in that blocked run of 500 as well.

We always look forward to Jones and Horan auctions!

http://www.jones-horan.com/

Lindell

Wink
 
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