I just received a first year production KW Rockford sn 7280. Attached is a picture that was on ebay. I liked the demaskeen and the fact it was a first year movement. It appears to be 9 jewel and it runs.

Now what I did not expect as it did not show up in the photo nor was it mentioned in the description is that it is gold flashed, I thought it was nickle. I am not crazy about gilded movements but I always liked the gold flashed movements there just isn't that many out there.

So I was surprised and very pleased when I opened the package today.

Rockford

Harry I've always liked the gold flashed movements. Do you have a case/dial for it yet?

Harry-

I looked at this while it was on ebay too and thought it was a nice looking watch, but had concerns that the patterning on it looked a little rough on it like it was done at a later date by a jeweler or something. Gold flashing makes me even more curious about that. Also, the cock arm looks to be a different color than the plates. Does the cock arm match the movement for serial number/ gold flashing on it also?

Jared

Joseph it has a crappy dial but no I don't have a good dial or hands I do have a case.

Jared you have a very keen eye my friend. I checked and the cock serial number does not match. However it all depends on how the light hits it. Sometimes the cock matches the rest of the movement and sometimes it is a shade off depending on the light. It is not near as pronounced as it is in the picture now that you mention it.

When I first saw it was gold flashed I was very happy and still am. But the thought did run through my mind that I did not know they were gold flashing these movements in 1876. Also the hole inside of the plates look as if they are gold flashed but do not have the demaskeen the outside has. There is also a "B" inscribed to the right of the KW. ???

Jared you may be right it may have been added by a jeweler at a later date but then you must ask, is a 9 jewel watch worth the time, trouble and expense to take completely apart and gold flash all the parts and put it back together again.???

Maybe? The cock is the only thing I am sure of right now and that it is from another watch but it was gold flashed also.

I will be going out of town early in the morning and I will not have internet access so I will not be able to answer any more questions after tonight until the 11th.

I do think it is a very attractive movement. It may well go with my 975 that did not have a second hand or seconds chapter. Both of these watches we may never know the real story. Both are very unusual watches.

Harry-

Thanks for the update. I would agree it's a neat looking watch worthy of saving and putting away either way it was done. The B on the barrel bridge might be the inital of the person that did the additional work too, wether it was done at the factory or afterwards.

Jared

Could be? Another project for the future. The main reason I wanted it was because it was a first year Rockford. Now I have a first year Rockford and a first year Hampden.

Harry,
I also looked at this Rockford. I'm glad to see someone here got it...I was wondering about the finish, I thought it looked like gold flash on the movement but wasn't sure. I'm sure it looks great! Look forward to pics of it after you get it all together!
Best Regards,
Mike

Harry,
I have an early Rockford I think it is 8XXX can't remember now...I will get it out while you are away and check to see what kind of dial it has and see if I can come up with a dial and hands for yours...Check in with me when you get back...

I will definitely post pictures when I get her done Mike.

Thank you Gary that would be a tremendous help. I will definitely contact you when I get back in town.

Thanks