Normally I collect Elgins but I do have some other brands and a couple of South Bend watches. I have always wanted to get a grade 227 and finally picked one up with the following internal inscriptions on the inside back cover. The jeweler was locate outside of Milw Wisc. The West Allis rang a bell since I have been there on a business trip a few times.

Dalin Jewelry Co. West Allis

Dr F N Coelins

Samuel Dalin born about 1891 in Russia. In 1930 living in West Allis Milwaukee WI, listed as a proprietor jewelery store. Married to Jeanne, 15 year old son Milton, 8 year old son Cyril.

I saw mention in a Jeweler document around 1920 where he installed a master clock and offered the city of West Allis to link their clocks to his master clock and there must have been a clock outside of his store (like you used to see quite often) that was also linked to the master clock.

Is Dr F N Coelins also engraved? Is that the correct spelling on the last name?

Tom

It is engraved but doesn't look like the jeweler did the engraving (unless he was drunk or under the influence of something else) In the listing that is how the name is shown, if nothing turns up I will post a picture and the name as I take it to be written.

Claude

I found where you bought it but I can't make out the name any better, trying different ways there were some Collns in Wisconsin but I couldn't find a Doctor or FN.

Nice looking watch!

Tom

Found where Samuel enlisted in the US Armed Forces, also he passed away in Milwaukee May 1973

Not sure if this is readable, it is his enlistment info.

Tom

For a South Bend 227 it appears that there wasn't much hanky-panky done to it, dial and hands look correct and the case other than the slight free hand work by the doctor appears to be in good shape, the jewelers name on the inside back is nice and something I have not seen before. Sometimes you see the Primus cases with that look with the brand name on the inside dust cover but with the jeweler's name and city is a new one for me. I saw a 227 as nice if not nicer go for a touch under $140 a few days ago which I didn't quite understand and I was kicking myself badly for not bidding on it.

Doesn't appear readable here. What I can make out from the hand writing is;
Dalin Samuel enlisted 01/05/1909 some where in NY, born Vilna Russia age 21 6 months occupation jeweler brown eyes black hair dark complexion 5'7" 3/4 Regiment 13 Inf 16 ? Discharged Jan 4 1912 at Fort Lascuim(?)Alaska.

Tom

I also thought that case was unusual & nice, I hadn't seen one of those before except the ones by the Pugh Brothers.

Tom

Tom I would figure the watch would show up sometime mid next week so I will try to decipher the other name and I may end up taking it to a jeweler and getting it engraved a bit better if that is possible and I will be sure to post some pictures. Thanks as always for your findings that never cease to amaze.

Tom I looked again and the best I can decipher and I had a friend look at it it appears to be F.N. Collins or F.N. Coelins and inside it appears he hand wrote Doc before his initials. The pictures did not do the watch, dial or case justice. I cleaned the case and it looks great with no signs of wear through (brass) it does appear to need a new stem or sleeve and stem, movement is as nice as the case.