Can anyone give me further info on an 18s H/C I believe 15j transitional Columbus watch, serial # 28757. I have not recieved it yet, but am just trying to gather some info on these watches. Where were they in the scheme of American watch makers. I say transitional as it has what appears to be a stem and also a key/wind on the movement. There appears to be little information on them, and I can't find my Complete Guide. I'll try to get pics when I get it.
Thanks,
Bill

Bill, I belileve that Columbus W.Co. was formed by Mr. Dietrich Gruen during his beginnnings onto the US Watch market and before he developed a Swiss watchmaker to make his famous "Gruen" named species of watches . . .

Meanwhile the Columbus Watch Co was briefly re-organized as the Ohio Columbus watch Co., . . .

the New Columbus Watch Co., and then sold to Mr. Studebaker who merged the assets into South Bend Watch Co.

Bill,

I can add very little to the great information David shared.

Only 2 points, the Columbus Watch Company listing in the "Complete Guide to Watches" is on page 166 through 172 of the 2009 Edition. A short version of Lindells "History of South-Bend Watches" appears at the top of page 370 and the very informative more complete story is right here:

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...64101939/m/398107005

Don

Wow Dave, great examples and that dial on the right, in the 1st photo is beautiful. Have not seen one like that, thanks for posting them.
RAY

Those early dial-makers were artistic little devils!

Hi David
Thanks for all the info. I have located my Price Guide and now have to determine whether this watch is the 15j gilded adj H/C K/W K/S or the lesser one that is the K/W K/S 15j gilded with the GJS. They used both the pressed jewels and the set jewels.
Oh well I'll wait until it arrives. BTW very nice examples, both movements and dials.
Bill

Didn't South Bend continue to make pretty much the same watch,and simply changed the design of the balance bridge.

David, I'll trade you your very own custom-made display case for that Columbus in the top right pic .

Eric, I sent you an e-mail about that offer. Cecil, South Bend seems to have run a short evolutionary course from the Columbus look to a more serious attempt at their own "styling", but it would be interesting to see if the train wheels are still the same . . .