Internet Horology Club 185
Rockford information sought, see latest post for more info

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/3743902887

August 06, 2016, 13:19
Mike Hodge
Rockford information sought, see latest post for more info
Need information on these two Rockfords. The first is marked "Our Own" on frosted full plate. It is HC and LS, has broken staff, at least, and I have no idea as to staff availability.


August 06, 2016, 13:20
Mike Hodge
Front dial side. Excuse the dial sticker.


August 06, 2016, 13:24
Mike Hodge
The second is also an 18s, HC LS looks to be a model 10. The database looks to call this a King Edward but I see no markings to support that. It is 21 jewel and does run after I installed a mainspring. Not the same sidewinder case I got it in.


August 06, 2016, 13:25
Mike Hodge
The movement


August 06, 2016, 13:26
Mike Hodge
SN 664952


August 06, 2016, 17:44
Clark Reed
Mike - It could be to your benefit to check with our member, Paul Davis for the availability of your Rockford staff. He has pulled many of us out of the jaws of defeat, and is very professional in every respect. Reasonable too!!!


Clark Reed
August 06, 2016, 18:34
Mike Hodge
Thanks Clark. I do still need somebody to give me an idea of what I have here. I've never seen anything marked Our Own before, and I'm not sure about the model 10. Great place to get reliable information.
August 06, 2016, 18:56
Charles Guptill
Mike I don't know alot about Rockfords but the 664... Rockford is part of a group of watches that must not have been recorded when manufactured. My S#664580 which is a King Edward, but is not marked adjusted Heat and Cold like yours is part of that group. I see other watches in the same range with that notation(h&c) that aren't marked King Edward either so it appears there wasn't any consistency in the production process.
Chuck
August 06, 2016, 20:03
Mike Hodge
Thanks Chuck. I was perplexed about that non marking vs marking. If I understand your post, mine is not considered a King George, but, it is exactly like the King George except for the marking. So, does that make mine have a value similar to a KG, or lesser due to its not being marked?
August 06, 2016, 20:08
Bila Wirriganwalters
Hi Mike,

First is a grade 70, model 8 as you might already know, only 1600 produced, 16 Jewel produced around 1889.

I would say a Private label, the difference between this and most P/L Rockford's you see is that they normally would have the Jobber's name on them. Still a very nice low production Rockford.


The second is very interesting as the King Edwards were made in Grade 845 Hunter, 910 O/F & 945 O/F flavours. Yours judging by observed serial numbers should be a Grade 845.

The King Edward's I have seen have been either marked just "adjusted" or marked "RG (in a circle) and adjusted", the first I have seen marked just "Heat & Cold". Although Rockford did chop & change markings on the same grades much more then other watch Manufacturers. Someone with more knowledge on these might be able to enlighten you further.
August 06, 2016, 20:15
Bila Wirriganwalters
Just another note on these Mike, Rockford did produce watches for Sears that were marketed under the "Plymouth Watch Co". one of the grades that they did was a Grade 215 which were actually a Grade 945.

These were usually marked Plymouth watch Co with the Heat & Cold adjustment (like you have there) as they were not adjusted to positions, but I think they were only in Open face configuration though.

Have you checked the serial numbers on all the plates, especially the barrel bridge?
August 07, 2016, 00:27
Charles Guptill
Mike:
As Bila indicated this is a grade 845. The big book shows the 845 to actually have a slightly higher value than the Plymouth Watch Co King Edward. The book also shows the first 100 of the 66400+ range to be 845 grade. The next 900 are omitted. As to the model 10, the 845 is never listed as anything but "Special" under the model designation, although it looks like a model 10. So who knows?
Chuck
August 07, 2016, 02:35
Mike Hodge
Thanks to Bila and Chuck. As we can see, there is some evidence to say this Model 10 is an 845 grade, but nothing in writing. As Bila suggests, the Model 8 is interesting in that so few were made, actually making it a one star as far as production numbers.
August 07, 2016, 09:20
Rafal Woler
Is 2nd one missing regulator spring? (One which locks regulator arm) I can see 2 holes but no spring...

Rafal
August 07, 2016, 10:37
Mike Hodge
Yes Rafal, it does appear to have holes for screws to hold a regulator spring. I noticed that some photos show a spring and some do not, but there probably should be one here.
September 20, 2016, 01:39
Mike Hodge
Serviced, staffed, polished up and ready to find a new home.


September 20, 2016, 11:12
Kevin Hoffman
nice looking rockfords , I have seen a few of these "our own" marked watches , and always got out bid
April 09, 2018, 19:39
Mike Hodge
This is now for sale on USED WATCHES for a reasonable price.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...6095371/m/9673953197
April 10, 2018, 07:23
Theodore J. Brown Sr.
Nice Rockfords Mike! Those regulator whips are almost always gone or broken on those.I had to buy a lower grade movement to get a good one to use on my 918.Now I have a nice looking private label 935 with no whip , probably will never find another.
April 10, 2018, 11:59
Mike Hodge
Thanks, I had to have the regulator replaced on the model 8. It's really a good looking watch now. I just have too many watches!