It never fails to amaze me that when I find something that I really like it is never as simple as it might appear. It appears to be the same issue that I ran into a while back with a private label Illinois Model 1. These early 16s movements are of different dimensions that what we see as the norm. Hence I am looking for information it. I have found it to be rather scarce and am looking for advice on what to look for when hunting for a case. (like what other watches fall into this same catagory)

Movement 372899

Mike,

These are super cool movements. I have accumulated a couple now... in my ever growing "movement collection". I also have a 6s.

1890 Rockford Model 1 Grade 101 (my latest shiny object)

I really like them too. I have not taken the time to find a case, but have been told it isn't that hard... the case just needs to be thicker than normal... Diameter should not be an issue.

Yours has a really nice hands and dial.

Paul,
Does yours have a snap in dial?

I don't think so... I'll pull it out tonight and study it.

Michael, You have the Rare, early "Hi-dome" Rockford, and an even greater issue is that yours is a Hunter case type. If I were looking to case it, I would haunt both the standard Pocket watch and Pocket Watch Parts and tools listings on eBay until one shows up. Likely you will find another complete watch, perhaps that is in poor condition, but with a decent case. I cannot tell for sure, but yours may need an escape wheel staff judging from the "empty hole" where the staff end should appear there.

Michael -
There are more people looking for Elgin convertible cases, or m72 cases or Hampden raised-plate cases or ... many, many more odd 16s cases than Carter has pills (to use a very old saying).
Don't sweat it. If one turns up, consider yourself very lucky. The reality is that they seldom do because a lot of people are looking for them.
Not to discourage you, but try relaxing into a "scarce movement" collection. A lot of advanced collectors have these. They've come face to face with reality for too many years to sweat such situations. They remain on the look-out, but it's a back-burner effort, not an all-consuming hunt, which prevents finding the next whole gem.

The ruby studded dials are scarce too and that one looks fantastic !!

regards,
bb

Hey all,
thanks so much for the info and advice.I'm a sucker for fancy dials and this one just drew me to it with that "you gotta have that one" train of thought. I probably paid too much for it but as they say the book is only for reference the true value is what someone is willing to pay. I also feel that this one needs a home, a mvmt collection just doesn't work for me, like if you had a rare antique firearm with no stock or barrel, just an action collection....seems incomplete If anyone here would happen upon the correct case please let me know, I know they might want it for themselves. Anyway thanks to all as information on this early mvmt is elusive to me.
Michael

Michael,

It is indeed a snap fit dial. Looking around the top of the pillar plate I found a line for the ring that holds the dial... this ring is machined to fit inside the machined radius of the pillar plate.

I used a case knife to gently start one edge and walked the knife around the dial, very gently until it lifted free. Being careful not to try to flip it out all in one bite.

It lifted free with gentle effort.

Paul,
I have only had this mvmt in my possession since this morning and after realizing that this was going to be a fiasco just like the Model 1 Illinois I have I thought OK I'll put this dial on a different movement. Heh no dial screws.....I gently lifted it with a screwdriver near the set lever. Low and behold it lifted up. I did not pursue this as I had not even removed the hands. So I just wondered if they are all like that or just mine. Thanks for the confermation.