I recently aquired my first PW. It is a South Bend Grade 227, Ser. # 1019407 in a B&B Royal 20 year case, ser. # 6555946. While setting the time I noticed that there are two slots for the set lever. I aquired the watch from a neighbor of 20 years who has owned it since he found it in 1939. He was 7 years old at the time. I know that it has not been recased in 65 years. My question is: What would explain the extra slot?

Thanks for any help,
Joe

Joe,

Whenever your movement was put into this case, it appears the lever cut that was original to the case didn't line up right, so the jeweler had to cut another slot in the right spot for the set lever on your movement. To me that would seem the most likely explanation.

Ed and Lindell,
Thanks for the replies to my query.
Lindell, I had read your "History of South Bend" before I bought this watch. I gave my neighbor what I considered a fair price after looking at what they were going for on Ebay.
I have examined it thoroughly, in good light, and can find no basemetal showing. That 20 year case sure is tough! It does, however, have a couple of fine hair lines on the dial.

Thanks again,
Joe

Congrats on the purchase Joseph! A South Bend 227 is a nice first watch and I am sure you will enjoy it.

Fred

One thing to consider here also is ...

you state the owner obtained in 1939......

that would be plently of time for the watch if used in service to wear out an 'original' case..

folks scrimpted and saved then.... they had to... so the original owner could have had recased in a different case before you neighbor ever saw it.......

Enjoy the watch, keep it serviced and wear it.... it will last many many more years!

Terry,
Perhaps I did not make it clear. The neighbor found the watch and a ring when he was a 7 year old boy. They were in a bag lying in the gutter of a St. Louis street. The watch has had very little use. When he found it he was too young to carry a watch and by the time he was old enough to carry one he opted for a wrist watch.
The watch was in this case when he found it 65 years ago.

Joe

Joseph -

I believe Terry meant that in the years between the movement's manufacture and your neighbor's 1939 find the watch could have picked up a replacement case.

Fred

The lever cuts for that case are not that uncommon. Aside from the South Bend, Hampden and Illinois model 5 movements also lever set at the 8 minute mark. I have seen a number of factory cut cases with the two slots. I believe that most are Deuber cases. These were made to accept the Hampden movements, but were also ready to accept other makes if the customer desired. My guess is that the case is original to that watch.

Tom

It sure is a NICE WATCH! Congratulations!