Guys-

If you want to know why I collect South Bend watches, it's examples like this one that keep me going back for more! For starters, it is a 15 jewel model 207 from around 1910. The double sunk dial is in perfect condition. The crystal does have a couple straches, but that doesn't deter me on this one! The hands are still a very deep blue.

The movement wasn't running when I got this, but only needed to be cleaned to get back to full form. The winding wheels have no rust and the movement is very clean.

Now, on to the heart stopper on this one, the case. It is a South Bend marked case also. Here is the Permanent mark in the back.

I also got with this watch, the original paper in the back talking about the gold content of the case. This is only the 3rd one I have and they do not come up often with them. I'm sure they were typically thrown away.

Here it is back in the case.

and last but not least, the heart breaker case! If you love south bend, this is one of the reasons why!

The rose gold top areas with yellow gold in the backgroudn give these cases an unbelievable look and appeal to them! you have to have them in hand to appreciate it fully. This is right at the top for the most unused south bend cases I have. for being around since 1910, I always wonder how many survived in this type of condition...

Jared that is a beautiful looking watch. Congratulations on a beauty and if you happen to know of a Polaris I would love to see one>

Deacon-

I know where there's a few of them around . I'm always on the lookout for them too. I think Lindell has pictures of one of his in the south bend section someplace.

Jared

Home run Jared!

Jared, very nice indeed.

Jared -

The original paper in the back of the case throws it over the top for me!

I know enough about South Bends to make me dangerous and that's about all....what size is this particular watch, if I may ask?

She's a beauty!

Regards! Mark

An all around beautiful watch!

Beautiful Jared! Almost makes me want to convert from Hamilton! Brad

Thanks everyone for the comments. Mark, to answer your question on the size, this is a 16 size watch. The 16 size seem to be the hardest to find with very nice South Bend marked cases on. 18s fancy south bend marked cases seem to be non-existent. I have yet to see one of them, so I would consider them coveted to find a minty example, if one exists. Lindell may have more input on this too.

Jared

Ah, thanks! I can now add my surprise to the pile, as I've seen 6s watches in this kind of condition, but rarely a 16 s or larger....let alone a South Bend!

Amazing! VERY nice find!

HIGH regards! Mark

Jared,
Nice pick up. The original paper inside the case back is the first I have ever seen inside a south bend case.
Tony

Tony-

Here is a 212 16s I have in a South Bend marked hunting case.

Heres the back lid.

and here is the paper in the back of it as a 25 year case. You'll notice that the thickness marked on the papers has gone from 25/1000" on the permanent to 21/1000" on the 25 year.

I have a few South Bends especially some of the 16s 17s low production hunters and consider them as nice grade watches. I can't afford the really bad boys "The Studebakers" or th "Polaris" but I am able to collect some of the more overlooked ones. Very beautiful watches.

I don't have a paper in this one, but this is another 16s South Bend (227 model) wrapped up in a South Bend marked case with a deer. Not quite as nice as the other two cases, but still very nice. If anybody find a paper on a 20 year case, it would be interesting to see how thick the plates are on it.

Jared

Claude-

That is one nice thing about South Bends. There are some harder to find models that can be picked up for good prices today still.

Jared

Hi All

Here is a South Bend 20 year case with the paper. This is a 16s swing out case, or as stated on the paper "Cup Screw".

Regards,
Keith

No paper on this one but one of my best. 25year South Bend case.

I the inside of the case.

Keith-

Thanks for the pic of you paper. I find it odd that yours is actually thicker layered than both of mine, yet only guaranteed to 20 years. I see it also says its only 17% gold, so I wonder if that has something to do with it. Also, that looks to be a very nice 295 in your second picture, whats the serial number if you don't mind me asking?

Jared

Jared

Thanks for the kind words on the above cases. The serial number is 470168.

Regards
Keith

Keith-

I have 470083 myself. I was hoping maybe they would be consecutive . I really like the pattern onyour first one. I actually have a couple 0s South bends with the same pattern.

Jared

Jared

Would you know when South Bend switch to the banner style signature on their cases?

Also did South Bend make a gold filled 18s case. I do have one 18s case but it is silvaloy.

Keith

Keith-

I don't know when they switched styles and would say they were probably mixed for a number of years as they depleted old stock and filled in with new stock. I have found the banner style all the way back into the late 500,000 serial numbers, which puts it in the 1909 era, but they may have been some before that too. It almost looks like they were introduced about the same time as the 16s model 2. I have seen a couple GF 18s south bend cases. They have both been heavily used to where brass was showing, so I passed on them. They have been marked as per your case inside above.

Jared

Keith-

Hope this helps. I went thru my 16s south bends with SB cases and here's the numbers I have and the logo type. I may have missed a couple, but here they are:

3,727,936 New Logo
5,11x,xxx New Logo
7,920,180 Old Logo
7,920,055 Old Logo
8,117,430 Old Logo
8,210,814 Old Logo
8,286,420 Old Logo
8,452,022 New Logo
8,728,976 New Logo
8.925,748 new Logo

I don't think this helps any. It may have mattered who they were selling the cases thru too. someone selling multiple companie's watches like sears & roebuck may have wanted the small logo that was less easy to recognize to their purchasers than a solely south bend retail jeweler would want.

Jared