Internet Horology Club 185
Request for Rockford Serial Numbers from 1-543,000

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/5273918397

April 05, 2020, 17:43
Bila Wirriganwalters
Request for Rockford Serial Numbers from 1-543,000
Great John thank you, would you happen to have a picture you can uploaded?
April 05, 2020, 20:38
John Willis
Hi Bila. I can take a pic but am having trouble

"compressing" them. I will contact Dr. Debbie and see if she can help out. John
April 05, 2020, 20:47
Bila Wirriganwalters
Thanks JohnSmile
April 07, 2020, 16:20
Gary E. Cochran
Bila ran across this one today...Nine jeweler...Serial number 86552


April 07, 2020, 16:21
Gary E. Cochran
Front plate...


April 07, 2020, 19:06
Bila Wirriganwalters
Thanks GarySmile
June 16, 2020, 01:43
Bila Wirriganwalters
Just a tidbit of info on some of these earlier Rockford's, in the first 15,000 produced on the numbers we have at present there are approximately 16 changes backwards and forwards between the Model 1 & 2's. Also within those first 15,000 there are more then 75 Grade changes (of the available Grades of the time), so as you see it will take a lot of numbers to find out what, when and how many of these differences there are.

So I implore anyone with numbers or examples laying around could you please contact me or upload photos and details of what you have (if unsure photos speak a thousand words, this info should include if possible; serial, model type, if stem & lever or key-wind & set and jewel count) if you have not already done so, thanks to all for their contributions to date and thanks for any that are forthcomingSmile
June 22, 2020, 11:44
John Willis
Hi Bila> Re: #156367 Hopefully the enclosed picture will show this movement (it is a picture I have on file) . Just got a new computor operating and hopefully got the "compressing" thing figured out. Maiden try!. If it is succeccful and you would like to see other pics of it let me know.


June 22, 2020, 11:45
John Willis
another pic.


June 22, 2020, 11:47
John Willis
Bila. I do not have any pics of under the dial. If important I can do that, John
June 22, 2020, 18:41
Bila Wirriganwalters
Appears to be a 9 Jewel Model 2 stem win & lever set John, can you confirmed that it only has the 2 jewels on the back plate, as the 2 pivot holes under the balance wheel are hard to see?
June 22, 2020, 21:38
John Willis
Holes under balance wheel are jewelled. I had thought from my other pics that they were not jewelled but it was bothering me a bit so I dug out the watch to see and they are definatly jewelled holes in the back plate. The front I am not sure. As I have it out would you like me to check under the dial. John
June 23, 2020, 01:43
Bila Wirriganwalters
Please if you could John that would be greatSmile
June 23, 2020, 10:31
John Willis
Hi Bila. Looked at front plate and those two holes are not jewelled. I took pics but for some unknown reason cannot download to computor.If/when I get that sorted I will post. John
June 23, 2020, 21:19
Bila Wirriganwalters
That would be great if you can get it sorted John, a clear picture of the dial plate side would be good, as it is odd to be a 13 jewel.
June 23, 2020, 22:16
Bila Wirriganwalters
Also John is it possible to see a better view of those to hole jewels on the back plate to see how they are fitted, as the hole sizes look smaller then they should be for a factory job?
June 24, 2020, 11:34
John Willis
I will do that when I get my downloading problem. Have a good day, John
June 24, 2020, 16:19
John Willis
Pic 3156367


June 24, 2020, 16:20
John Willis
Another


June 24, 2020, 16:21
John Willis
Front plate Anything else- let me know. John


June 24, 2020, 20:08
Bila Wirriganwalters
Excellent John Thank You, this is what Rockford called "Plain Jeweling" in their Grades. Also this one has created another different data point in the serial database.
June 24, 2020, 20:37
John Willis
Hi Bila: Glad to be of some assistance, however small. Appreciate you efforts for all you do. John
August 14, 2020, 21:52
Bila Wirriganwalters
Just bringing this up to keep it in everyone's thoughts as we are still chasing serial numbersSmile
August 18, 2020, 17:54
Gary E. Cochran
Bila this is the 7502 I found in a drawer I hadn't been in for a while...11 Jewel marked on the M/S barrel cover...


August 18, 2020, 17:55
Gary E. Cochran
Pic 2 Sorry my photo skills arn't a little better...


August 18, 2020, 18:28
Bila Wirriganwalters
Excellent Gary, photos are fine and another serial we didn't have, cheersSmile
August 21, 2020, 15:47
Douglas D. Weaver
Bila - I have a couple of early Rockfords. The first is #15323. You may already have this one. I posted a question about it a couple of years ago.

It has:
gilt plates
11 jewels
It is KW/KS - but also has a stem wind conversion for a hunting case that doesn't work.
2 case screws

#15323

August 21, 2020, 15:48
Douglas D. Weaver
Dial side:

#15323

August 21, 2020, 15:50
Douglas D. Weaver
Next is #90291

gilt plates
7 jewels
KW/KS
1 case screw

#90291

August 22, 2020, 02:57
Bila Wirriganwalters
Thank you Douglas, these 2 cleared up a couple of errors, the 7 jewel had erroneously been reported from another source as 9 jewel and the other was originally seen in a key-wind case but yet fell in a run of Mode 2 transitional's, so info very much appreciatedSmile
September 30, 2020, 23:34
Bila Wirriganwalters
For all who are interested in these earlier Rockford production runs just a tid-bit of an update regarding the chopping and changing of movement variants.

I have just briefly gone through the first 40,000 serial numbers (based on the small selection we have at present) and have found that the Models as designated (based on the model 1 & 2's and the like) changed backward and forwards 55 times in this first 40,000 numbers and the variances within those model changes show 160 different Types/Grades (these different types refer to jeweling and the like but not including variances in font and other attributes). These numbers could change to a degree as we get more added to the database.

So as you see to work out exactly what was produced by the Rockford Watch Factory a lot more numbers will be needed. So if you have any please put them forward for this important research. Also for those that have already, your participation is very much appreciatedSmile
December 01, 2020, 20:09
Steven Ford
Here's one for your list, Bila.
18s serial # 140222. 13 jewels. Third and 4th wheels jeweled only on back plate. Lever set, stem wind, Hunter case gilt movement with pinned on dial. Marked EXTRA on mainspring bridge.


December 01, 2020, 20:54
Bila Wirriganwalters
Cheers Steven, Keep'em comingSmile