Hello,

i have an South Bend 429 which needs hands. Was there special lenghts available, because the 429 is a bit bigger than usual 12 size watches? Or can i use normal 12 size South Bend hands?

Andre

Ironically, I just received one as an early Christmas present a couple days ago, and mine has pierced hands. I've done a quick search through the past posts discussing the 429, and I've found them with just about every kind of hand set you can think of.

Needless to say, I have NO idea what's right or not when it comes to a South Bend. This is only the first one I've owned since a fleeting association with a 7j back in the 1970's, but from what I've seen so far, as long as it's a set of SB 12s hands, I think you're in the ballpark.

By the way, if I may tack on a question in this thread, what are folks opinion of the 429 19j 12s South Bend, if I may ask? Mine dates to around 1922, if my research is correct.

Regards! Mark

Mark: The 429 is a great little watch. It was made from 1912 through 1929 when the plant closed their doors.

In the South Bend Research Forum there is a South Bend Database that will give you the date and run of your watch by entering the serial number.Frank Kusumoto did an outstanding job of assembling the database. Here is the link to the page:

http://thehorologersreference.com/southbend.php

Andre: There is also a good photo database of South Bend dials etc. in the South Bend Forum.

I have some NOS hands for 12 size South Bends if you need a pair.

Here is a photo of a SB 429 from 1917 Run 15.

EXCELLENT! According to the link you gave me, it landed solidily in 1922.

Thank you for the input!

HIGH regard! Mark

One more question, if I may...would my 429 be one of the mail order versions or a sandard SB, as discussed in the history writeup that Lindell wrote? The serial number is 1032656.

Thanks for any help in my research of my new watch.

HIGH regard! Mark

Thank you sir. That cleared up my confusion.

Mine is all 'South Bend' marked, so I'm VERY pleased. I've wanted a South Bend for a long time after reading your history when you first posted it.

To add, we have a program on our Nashville PBS station called 'Tennessee Crossroads'. Apparently one of the last surviving members of the Studebaker family who produced the watch line settled in Tennessee and continues to repair the watches in his spare time. He has all the original paperwork and tooling from the old factory, as well several Studebaker automobiles he drives on a daily basis. He used to have a fleet, but has pared it down to 2 or 3 now. His main love is the watch work, from what they said on the show. They showed quite a few nice examples in his collection, as I recall.
Here's the contact information if you want to follow up on it:

"Studebaker Collector
When you hear the word "Studebaker," you probably think of cars. Tressa Bush meets a descendant of the Studebaker family, and finds out that he collects more than just family cars.
CONTACT: George Reitenour
PHONE: (931) 839-2884
LOCATION: Monterey, TN
EMAIL: studiegeorge@frontiernet.net"

Anyway, thanks again!

HIGH regards, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Mark

Amen to what Lindell said! George is one of the finest Studebaker and South Bend Watch people I know. He is responsible for getting many people interested in South Bend Watches.

Interesting. Well, I'm just repeating what they inferred on the program, nothing more.

Glad to hear he's well known. Shows there's just one more 'Tennessee connection' around here, and now I finally own one. I just need to get it serviced now....

Regards! Mark

Lindell,

thanks for the kind offer. But i need black ones and i have a source in canada for it. My only worry was, if the lenght was right, since that watch is a bit bigger than other 12 size watches i have.

So i just give it a try. If they not match this watch i put them aside and wait for the matching watch which needs them.

I am looking forward to read the books you mentioned.

Andre

Just to bump this old nugget, my Christmas 429 is now in Chris Abell's capable hands. I'll be VERY interested in seeing how it turns out.

Thanks again for the information everyone provided.

Regards! Mark

Mark,
Here is a shot of the hands on my 429.
Bill

That's a nice one, Bill!

Regards! Mark