Internet Horology Club 185
South Bend 12 size Special gold filled cases

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/1911029882

November 07, 2007, 13:36
John Johnston
South Bend 12 size Special gold filled cases
Friends,

I am doing some research on a case that was produced for the South Bend pocket watch co. It would be a 12 size open faced case with a label inside that says "Special" (see included photo for an example)

I would appreciate it if the membership could go through their 12 size South Bend watches looking to see if they have one of these lessor seen cases. If you do have one, I would really appreciate it if you could provide me with the case number and the movement number. I will enlighten the membership to my findings once completed. A very big thank you to all that can help in advance.

John


November 07, 2007, 15:28
Robert Schussel
John
Lindell and Frank K probably know the most about these cases.

I have seen many 12 size South Bend gold filled cases but none marked Special.

Bob
November 07, 2007, 15:55
John Johnston
Rob,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have already spoke with Lindell and Frank directly. I have also spoken with George Riettenour and documented his collection findings. These three men represent the largest amount of South Bend pocket watch knowledge in the country. None of these men mentioned where tracking or even really noticed this case variation when they were contacted by me. I have a feeling that there may still be some examples lurking within our friends collections.

As of right now between the three men mentioned here and myself there are a total of 4 cases currently in our collections. There is data base indication of another 6 such cases. I really need more information to gather a good sampling. So please check those South Bend 12 size screw back and bezel cases.

Thanks,

John
November 08, 2007, 09:25
Tony Dukes
John,
Can you tell me what other names are found on South Bend cases? I have a 12 size case marked PYRAMID.
Tony
November 08, 2007, 11:07
Robert Schussel
Tony
Pilgrim,Panama ( 20 year case)and a few are marked Permanent.

Many watches with serial numbers above 1,000,000
have a Star Watch Co Case.

Bob
November 08, 2007, 18:00
Lindell V. Riddle

Tony,

South-Bend branded cases designated as "Panama" were 20-year Guaranteed, then "Pilgrim" was their 25-year case and "Pyramid" was the South-Bend model name assigned for "Permanent" which today we might call "Lifetime Guaranteed" watch cases. One good source for such information would be pages 35-39 of Cooksey Shugart's "Complete Guide to Watches, 2007 Edition.

John,

The unusual South-Bend "Special" cases are 20-year like those marked as "Panama" and for what it's worth I have a theory. Let's realize South-Bend did not manufacture cases, they were from outside suppliers. Perhaps one of those suppliers provided the "Special" cases, one that comes to mind is Dueber because they used "Dueber Special" as a case model. Just a theory.

Lindell

Wink
November 08, 2007, 21:24
Joseph T. Collins
Wouldn't the fact that 12s South Bends are not exactly 12 size require the use of a special case?

Just wondering,

Joe
August 28, 2024, 22:32
Tony Hagale
Resurrecting a nearly 20 year old post just to mention that I've stumbled across another "Special" 20-yr GF SBWC case. Case serial 9132380.

The caseback is at this link.