Hi All,

Just chasing earlier (and now later production) Rockford Watch Company serial numbers between 1-543,000 range (I have just edited the research-range) for research purposes. These serial ranges are absolutely all over the place and most of the contemporary writings/research are a long way out in some instances (as some of you have already deduced). We have a lot of numbers to date in the database but need more. The portrayed examples of these serial/production runs are based on the normal 1,000 to 2,000 block runs, in early assessment of the numbers, this is clearly not the case. So a lot more work needs to be done

If you have any numbers you would like to share as well as details on features such as the following;

Plate type :- either nickel or gilt, jewel count (if you know how, as you would be surprised on how people do not now how to count the different configurations), Setting and winding type, case screw count and last but not least if a stem winder, does it wind at the 12 or 3 o'clock positions.

If you are unsure of any of the above please send me a photo of dial side and back plate so we can work it out. The reason I ask this is that the difference between model 2 and 3's is confusing and even sometimes the model 4's. We have already gone through multiple sites including our Forum here looking for examples and have logged those in the database, if you have any in your collections or parts bin it would be great to know.

This Rockford project only originally started out as a look into the 18 size Model 5 production of this Company by myself and my Daughter Erin, but it has now snowballed just a little. All info is highly regarded and appreciated, thank you.

Hi Bila. I have but one: Serial no. 124497,
Nickle plate,
11 Jwls.,
Key wind and set,
One case screw,
Regards John

Excellent, Thank You John

Soon after this run of Model 1 key-wind watches, they jump into what appears to be a short 500 quantity (on numbers at present) run of Model 2 Transitional's, then immediately back to the Model 1 Key-winds. This is what make these early runs very interesting from a research prospective

Hi Mate,

I used to have some old Rockfords but I sold them both. They were transitional and neither one worked very well. I know the model one is on this site so you may already have it listed #7280, gold flashed and 9 jewel. The other was a model 2
#36880 it was guilt and 7j. That's about all I can remember mate.

Harry

Thanks Harry, I found those, if you see any more in your travels can you point me in their direction. That Gilt damaskeened one you had was interesting only know of 4 others

Well I just had to see a Gilt damaskeened Rockford, thankfully yours wasn't buried too far in the threads Harry.

Wonderful movement!

I sure will mate! Please say hello to Erin.

Rick I am glad you found it.

Harry

Bila here is one on ebay #4486 4486

Harry

Thanks Harry and I sure will

Just bringing this to the top, as we are still looking for more numbers

Early Rockford serial #2735..

Excellent Gary, Thank You, one we didn't have

Bila the only thing left of this poor guy is this upper plate..Private label Henry Korf...Serial number is 6577...Either a 9 or 11 jewel but can't be sure which one because original dial plate is missing...Maybe you can use for your research...Gary

They all help Gary, this one would have been a 9 Jewel Key Wind & Set, as it falls in a run of them, thank you for the number

Bila

I have a couple of Rockfords in the range you are researching:

15323 is 11 jewel, gilt plates, I have it cased as KWKS, but it has some kind of stem wind conversion (that doesn't work).

90291 is 9 jewel, gilt plates, KWKS

Thanks Douglas, has that jewel count be verified with the dial off, also can you let me know when you get a chance does that #15323 with the stem-wind conversion have 1 case screw or 2 off them?

Does the lever pull out like a normal lever or rock up or down around the movement edge.

Cheers,
Bila

I worked on one for a customer.#167510,key and stem wind(stem wind didn't work because of broken pinion leaves),lever set,9 jewel, gilt plates.
Ernie

Does it have 1 or 2 cases screws to hold the movement Ernie? Thank you for the number

I don't remember but I should be able to find out.
Ernie

Thanks Ernie, if you could that would be great

Bila

I took the dial off of 15323. It turns out to be 11 jewels. Also, I have attached a photo of the dial side so you can see the stem wind/lever set conversion. The lever is broken - I can't tell what the rest of it would have looked like. It has 2 case screws. Also, it is configured for a hunting case.

Doug

Thank you for doing this Douglas, That is the normal Rockford rocking bar set-up. Some of the early models had an Abbott's patent winding mechanism and also another unknown origin type of mechanism fitted.

We have been recording this as we are going, so the records are as correct as we can make them. We have noticed some of the early reporting as well as some recent stuff was been reported incorrectly. This has been due to in some cases movements being fitted to key wind cases due to faults in the winding mechanism.

The early Rockford production runs are so convoluted when it comes to Model 1 & 2's as well as their jewel counts (also in some later runs as well), it borders on the unbelievable. They chopped and changed so much it makes you wonder what the management was thinking. It is like they were changing production every time a new order came in

Bila there is one on ebay 171673 it is gilt. Winds at 3 and has 2 case screws. Looks like a transitional to me tbob45 calls it a convertable and says it is 13j/15j but PWDB says it is 11j.

Harry

Good eyes Harry, thank you. It does not come up in my searches for some reason, can you send me a private email with a link please?

I noticed talk of the stemwinding on these.

A watch friend and myself both agree that these early "transitional" Rockford's are prone to stemwind issues. Is this common? I have two model twos, both skip and jump when winding with the stem.

When I serviced my nickel 11 jewel model 2, I noticed the hole for the stem was much larger than the stem in the case. I made a new stem (sort of crude but functional) that fit the square perfectly, and now it winds much better. My theory is there is too much play in the winding arbor.

I have seen plenty of these Rick with worn winding arbor pinion teeth and the associated meshing beveled winding wheel. I think this is due to the fact of the design, it relates to the length of the actual rocking bar mechanism's length which seems to help the retaining screw to come loose. With constant use over the years with it loose it tends to wear the pinion teeth and the beveled winding wheel teeth causing incorrect meshing.

Ah thank you. I haven't had a model two apart in a long time, but next time I will definitely go over what you talked about.


I just received a new one this week. Private label.

81301
Model 1
Gilt
One case screw
15 jewels verified by pulling dial.

I probably already sent you that one, but wanted to share the jewel count especially.

Nah Rick didn't have it mate, must of been one you've missed, good to know about the jewel count we only had 2 others in this block.

Can you enlighten me on the type of jewel settings, they should be true settings, let me know when you get a chance or if unsure please post a photo, thank you

I'm sorry, I know that's important and forgot to add it. Yes it has actual jewel settings, which is one of the reasons I grabbed it.

Unfortunately I found one upper and lower cracked train jewels, one cracked balance hole jewel and a.broken staff and mainspring. Soooo this one will be a fun project! Haha.

Nearly always the way with some of these older ones Rick, at least that one is true jewel setting. I did a very nice Illinois "Wettstein" P/L watch for a friend the other day with 3 stuffed jewels on the back plate, they were bezel set (rubbed in), so a real pain.

Here is another one on EBay Bila...

Rockford movement number: 123796

Thanks Harry, need plenty more mate if you see them, Rick H is keeping an eye out as well. The production runs of these Rockford's are just all over the place with their early Model 1 & 2's