I found a South Bend pocket watch in a old box belonging to my grandfather and was curious to it's current value. Can anyone offer some professional advice here?

The serial number is 1012059 so I know it was produced in 1922. The watch also states it's a 429 adjusted temp - 4 position and 19 jewels.

I want to keep the watch as I have extremely fond memories of my grandfather, but I want to know if I should use it occasionally or store it safely (depending on it's value).

It's also not working right now so if anyone can recommend a place/person for repair that would be awesome. I live in Orange County, Ca so someone in Southern CA would be great.

Thanks a bunch.

TK

Hey Tom,

South Bend Watch Co. was founded by the Studebaker Bros. in South Bend,Indiana in March of 1902 and made over 850,000 watches before The Great Depression of 1929 forced the doors to close.

Their most prized grade of watch today is known as the Polaris and collectors know no limits on price for a correct one. Their second most collected watches were marked The Studebaker and are highly revered today.

Your watch is a 12 size gentlemens watch from 1922. They are a very nice watch. Your watches true value will be in that it is a family heirloom. They were made in solid 14K cases and gold filled cases and they were all cased at the factory.

Your watch should be enjoyed on a daily basis and can be worn proudly in remembrance of your grandfather. You may want to purchase a nice chain to help manage it better in your suit or trouser.

There will be someone along shortly to recommend a person near you that can get your watch back in running condition.

Value is hard to assess without good pictures and without knowing the case metal contents. Perhaps you could post some soon and then we will have something to go by.

Hope that is of some help to you.

regards,
bb

Thank you for the information Buster. It's greatly appreciated. I will take some pictures and post them in the next couple of days.

Tom Dave Abbe lives out there in California somewhere and there is also Chris Abel but he is in Texas. I am sure there are others here who are capable of servicing your watch.

Tom, e-mail me at david@glopar.com with your phone # and I will give you a call.

Tom, Welcome to IHC185, glad you have stopped by....

Buster gave you much information about your watch and a little history of the Manufacturer as well and there isn't a lot to add to it and he is also correct in his statement as to the value because whatever the 'book' value is, is not near the intrinsic value that you have put on it as an heirloom....

I would only add this thought, why not give us some thought to joining our club....the annual dues are very low, only $12.00 per year and the returns you will receive are many times that and they continue to come to you day in and day out....

For your convenience, I will provide you with the following link to our registration page where you can join at your leisure....here it is....

Join IHC185 and Buy the Complete Price Guide To Watches

Additionally, Dave Abbe, one of our member experts and watchmaker lives in So. Cal., as Robert has suggested and is very good at the art of watch repair and the same thing goes for Chris Abell who is a little farther away....Hopefully Dave will see your post and offer his advice soon....

Thanks again for stopping by and do come back to see us again soon....

Regards,

Jerry

OPPS....I see now that Dave has already been here....

Welcome, Tom!

I have a 429 myself, and of the same time as yours. Chris overhauled mine, and it's kept perfect time ever since.

They're nice little carry watches, and family connection or not, they're a fine example of a very good and much missed watch company that was a victim of the Great Depression.

Enjoy your watch. It's a keeper.

Regards! Mark

Tom
It is estimated that 93,900 grade 429 may have been produced.

bob