I have worked on several variants of the Transitional models but this Rockford takes the cake! It is a Key Wind Key Set, AND Pendant Wind Lever set, so just take your pick!

Brings to mind Dr. Doolittle's "Push-me/Pull-You"!

To do all that it has 9 toothed wheels for the wind and set mechanism that are driven by one very weak bevel gear that has to slip over the winding stem to work all those wheels and stuff.

The overcapped motor barrel is a real "trip"!

This was definetely designed for the 3-handed watchmaker. I think it was re-cased sometime about 20 years or so after its original 1881 "birth", and whoever did that probably had to be committed after they were done.

You can tell a watch is old when it has a pinned on dial. All done though it is kinda "Purdy"!

Hey David,
I have one of those,and also have a couple of Rockfords,that have a switch on the movement to change from key wind to stem wind.....or is it stem set to key set. I haven't looked at them in a while,but it sure seems to be over complication. I really don't think the transition watches were to give the buyer a choice in winding preferences,but more just the company using up left over key wind parts.

That is an unusual watch! The heart shaped regulator is very different. I don't think I've seen it on any Rockfords before.

... and the convertables I've seen had a little button in the main plate that changed the setting function from "P" to "L". Does this one have that?

This very early "B. Drummond, La Crosse WI" Model 2 movement is far away from the design of the "switchable" Rockfords in that these early movements gave no choice but Lever when using the stem to set time. The "switchable" Rockford mechanism actually enabled the Stem to pull-set rather than using the lever.

The "heart Shape" Micro regulator was limited to a very few early Rockford movements as it is very fragile, but artistically pleasing for sure. One "petal" of the Heart shaped spring is actually split to retain the end of the micro set screw, and that splits off very easily as it has on this one. The regulator still works, but when retracted you have to "help it" come back.

The oddity here is the treatment and finish of this watch meant to "look Railroad Grade", but it is actually an overdressed 11 Jewel Movement. All the numbers match, and I am sure that Rockford made it to gain an edge for those slightly penurious customers who liked to "lift the hood" on their watch and show off a "fancy looking engine".

Hate to stick my head in the door again, Dave, but is it 'Rockwell', or 'Rockford'? I was puzzled when I saw the Rockwell name in your subject title and post as I can see 'Rockford' on the plates in your photos.

NEAT arrangement, but like you say, a nightmare for the mechanic who has to work under the hood!

Regards! Mark

Thaks Mark, Correction noted and made. "Brain Spasm, too late at night I guess.

Have another cup of coffee. I'll pour....

Thanks, David!

HIGH Regards! Mark

It may be a Nash posing as a Cadillac, but I like it. It is a really funky watch, and aparently an unsuccessful experiment.

I like it, too. I am always interested in watches that are a little unusual. This one fills the bill!