While shopping for my wife's 10 year anniversary present last week in a jewelry store in downtown Holland, MI, I came across this watch. It is a 12 size South Bend Grade 407. The watch guide doesn't give this one much respect ($95 in mint), but I fell in love with it because it came with the box and papers and is a nice all-original watch. Plus, it is my first South Bend purchase. If anyone can tell me how many of these were made or any other info, it would be appreciated.

Enjoy!

John III

Closeup of banner holding down the watch...

Face

Movement runs on the first wind.

Case back

Documentation matches the watch and case numbers. Yes, I paid much more than $34...

Guarantee on the back of card

John

There was 29 runs of 407 with a 30,000 total production.

Your watch is a beauty. If you ever get tired of it, I am a 12 size collector who would love to have it.

Bob

I agree 100% with Robert. I wish I fell into jewelry store finds such as this. I think as it sets it is easily worth 10 times the original price tag! I am a South Bend collector but I would pay that without blinking an eye. It is an outstanding find, congratulations.

John

Bob,

I appreciate the info. I am surprised at how few were made compared to some Elgin and Illinois 12s grades in the same price range. If I ever decide to sell it, I'll put it up on the IHC185 website. For now, I'm enjoying it and starting to really appreciate the 12s watches for the bargains that they are.

John,

Being a newbie to South Bend, I didn't know what the thing was worth. I used a rule of thumb that having the original box and papers doubles the price, so I paid $192, which I guess isn't too bad. Thanks for the info.

John III

John
Because the watch is 15 jewels and interest in 15j 12 size is low you will see the 407 often up for sale as dealers have a hard time moving them.

Bob

Great find John,

Having the original warranty card completes the circle.

I would have paid the price too. And yes, a good "rule of thumb" is the original box and verification paperwork doubles value to serious collectors. That immediately takes it from the 95.00 book value to exactly what you spent. Instant justification! Add to that analysis the nearly un-carried condition and you see why John sees a $300.00 watch here. If you ever want to sell it, we'll get in line.

Congratulations, you got a nice buy my friend.

____________________________________________


This might be a good point to list the 12-size South-Bend production...


93,000 - Grade 429 - 19j - 55 runs -- All time most popular South-Bend Watch.

60,000 - Studebaker - 21j - "8 Adjustments" sold 1923-29 using mail order advertising.

47,000 - Grade 411 - 17j - There are variants of this one and so it is interesting to collectors.

30,000 - Grade 407 - 15j - Like the example John shared above, a good medium grade watch.

4,000 -- Grade 415 - 17j - These were the first S-B twelve size produced, a hard one to find.

3,000 -- Grade 431 - 21j - Many consider this one the finest watch South-Bend produced.

1,500 -- Grade 419 - 17j - Another hard to find, very nicely finished high grade watch.

500 ---- Grade 417 - 17j - Nearly impossible to locate one of these, keep looking!


South-Bend watches are not yet fully appreciated by the mainstream of collectors.

Since our publication and free distribution of "The History of South-Bend Watches" and then Lyle Stratton's compiled numbers being shared in the "Complete Guide to Watches" that began to change. As we launched our "South-Bend Research Forum" along with Frank Kusumoto posting materials and advertisements, general interest in and appreciation of South-Bend watches has increased dramatically.

I look to the day when all South-Bend watches and particularly the 12-size come into their own.

____________________________________________


Looks like Dan has a nice 429 but as you see on the chart above, as South-Bend watches go that one is the most common. Understandably collectors tend to be more demanding of condition on common watches, for that reason it can be difficult to get a good price from all but the best examples.

This is a great topic, let's see some more 12-size South-Bend watches!

Lindell

Lindell

I would like to thank you for taking the time and effort to list the 12 size watches produced by South Bend.

Iam fortunate enough to have at least one example of each of the watches you listed. My prize posession is a grade 431 in a 14kt green Gold South Bend case.

I have a grade 417 #648610 in a SB Pilgrim 25 yr case with a SB metal dial. If the dial is original to the watch it is a very early South Bend metal dial.

One of the 431s I own is from an unrecorded production run--759550 is the watch I own. According to Lyle Strattons serial numbers the run consisted of Grade 120s--O size hunters. I am going to have the watch disaasembled to check that all of the numbers match.If anyone has information about this spilt run I would appreciate it.

My advice to those considering collecting 12 size South Bends is to stick with watches that have serial numbers below the 1,000,000 mark. Try to get the watch in a South Bend case. The earlier 12 size South Bends were finished to a higher standard than those that were made later for the mail order business.

Until several years ago the two most common 12 size South Bends (grade 429 and the 21j Studebaker) were listed as being scarce in the Price Guide. The prices for these two watches still seem high considering how often they are seen on Ebay.

Happy hunting
Bob

The metal dial could be original if it is the gold dial with either Arabic or Roman numerals.

John,


Another question on this fine South Bend 407. What does the inside of the back of the case say??

South Bend had made a 20 yr Panama, a 25 yr Pilgram, and also a Permanant Pyramid. One does not often see an original South Bend case in that kind of condition. One almost always finds them with considerable wear to the engraving done.

Thanks again for sharing this wonderful watch find!


John

John,

Sorry I didn't post earlier, but I just got back on-line tonight after our move to British Columbia.

The inside of the caseback is marked:

WADSWORTH
WARRANTED
20 YRS
5287641

John III

The entire inside of the case back. Note: there is a reflection on the bottom that is not on the watch.