The South Bend 150 is a 0s hunting movement. Made for one run of 1000 and a small ten watch run that was probably proto-type testing. This was South Bend's third model of 0s movements and is called the "Model Three 150". There was also a sister open-face movement, the 151, made in similar quantities.
Personally, although an avid South Bend collector, I don't care much for the 0s watches. The Model One and Two 0s movements are mostly the typical seven jewel and fifteen jewel types with brass escape wheels. South Bend did not get into the 0s market until it was just about done with and the watches seem like an after thought. Typically they do come in nice 25yr, permanent or solid gold cases and have fancy dials. They were made and marketed for women.
The 150 and the 151 have a bridge design that is a mirror image of the Chesterfield series. The keyless works have been redesigned and the design seems very good. Gold jewel settings, steel escape wheel, lock-out screw, micro-meter regulator, nice damaskeening throughout and gilt lettering set this watch apart from the typical ladies movement. The watch is somewhat of an anomaly but that could certainly explain why there where only one thousand made.
Great restoration Frank as always! Yours is the first 150 movement I can recall having seen. All three hands look correct and it appears to be a fine example. Below, the Open-Face version number 770225 is an essentially similar watch known as the 151 but in some ways it is an opposite layout. Both are 17-Jewel, three-finger-bridge, Double-Roller movements. You'll note the dial is identical, that too is unusual to find.
Grade 151 is the corresponding Open-Face version...
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Frank, did you drop your watch in that first picture. Just joking around. A beautiful watch and as usual, gorgeous pictures. Thank you for letting us have a peek. Phil.
Posts: 4975 | Location: North Georgia Mountains in the U.S.A. | Registered: March 31, 2006
Yes, other SB's have pearlage on the barrel. All of the early Chesterfields have it, and the 150 was made right around the time that the Chesterfields came out. I do not recall any pearlage on any of the 16s or 18s watches. The top of the barrel is slightly visible on the assembled movement on the 12s and is not on the larger movements. I would guess that had alot to do with whether to decorate or not.
I would like to add I just picked up my first 150 South Bend. It is housed in a 25 year SB case and has a color dial. Looks to be a nice example overall and came to me running fine. I'm not going to bother cleaning it or anything at this time.
Posts: 1626 | Location: North Dakota in the USA | Registered: December 09, 2009
