My 1st South Bend, 18s Grade 329

July 09, 2007, 21:43

Joseph W. Robinson

Finally got around to taking a few pictures of this watch. Bought it a few months ago with a broken balance staff in a worn 20 year Referee case. Samie worked his magic and brought it back to life. I supplied a huge Philly silveroid case. Still would like to find a correct Panama case and better dial.

Joe

July 09, 2007, 21:44

Joseph W. Robinson

Another of dial,

July 09, 2007, 21:45

Joseph W. Robinson

Full pic of movement.

July 09, 2007, 21:46

Joseph W. Robinson

Movement closeup.

July 10, 2007, 06:39

Lindell V. Riddle

Very nice 329 you have Joe, Samie did his usual great work on it!

The edge chips on the dial can be filled in and to my eye it looks fine in that case. Speaking of cases, very few of the 18-size South-Bends came in marked as South-Bend cases, so finding a marked case may be difficult. Until the advent of 12-size watches only the Polaris was consistently factory cased. South-Bend did not make their own cases but rather had cases made with their name on them by several producers.

Your images are beautiful, I especially like your close-up on the movement signature. Recently, I was asked to talk about the South-Bend Watch Company at a Chapter 10 Meeting. You may find the pictures of interest. The one with a double display box shows both the 323 and 328 in display cases.

The 1912 ad you see below is one of my favorites. The fact that Mark Floyd, Engineer of the prestigious 20th Century Limited reports his 'The Studebaker' accuracy... "only varied 14 seconds over five months" ...and... "there are hundreds of railroad men who carry South-Bend 'Studebakers' which keep just as accurate time" ...is a very strong statement about the accuracy and durability of these fine watches.

One of my favorite South-Bend advertisements...

July 10, 2007, 15:21

Joseph W. Robinson

Hi Lin, Thanks for the compliments.

I didn't know the the info you shared on early SB cases, so I guess the silveroid case will work for this example. The dial has a few tight hairlines and a few edge chips down to the brass, but they don't show with the bezel on. The serial number on this one is 521332 circa 1908. Forgot to add that earlier.

The Mark Floyd SB ad looks great, as does your link to the many fine South Bends' displayed at the Chapter 10 meeting. You have many fine examples!

As to this piece being accurate to 14 seconds after 5 months... I don't know? But I do know it is one of the most accurate pieces in my collection... If I remember to keep it wound daily !

Regarding my images... I installed a new computer and flat screen back in June. Wow! what a difference over the old CRT monitor. That means I need to go back and adjust contrast and brightness on all my old pictures.

Joe