South Bend question, Models have three numbers. The first number is coded for the size of the movement, The third number is coded for the style of movement. Does anyone one know what the middle number represents?

Next question. South Bend size 16 the model numbers are consecutive with jewel count. 18 size has no rhyme or reasoning, any thoughts?

Peter in answer to your first question, South-Bend Watches:

First digit is the size of movement, a 1 represents 0 or 6-size whereas 2 is 16-size, a 3 means 18-size and 4 indicates a 12-size watch. Those numbers were assigned in the order in which each size was first manufactured.
Second or center digit is usually indicative of the grade or quality of the watch
Third digit is odd for Open-Face or even for Hunter representing the style of watch.

For additional information...

Click here for Lindell's posted company history: SOUTH-BEND WATCHES, A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANY AND THEIR PRODUCTS

Several years ago, Lindell re-wrote the preamble to the South Bend-section and updated all of the South-Bend listings for the COOKSEY SHUGART'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO WATCHES showing each grade chronologically.

I just asked Lindell your specific question, and he explained that in the early years there appears to have been a hierarchy for Model 1 but in the later year they did not seem to follow it when they brought out Model 2 the most important exceptions to that rule are in 16 and 18 size watches marketed and certified as Railroad Timekeepers.

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0 size watches:

7 jewel models have a 0 as the center number
15 jewel model have a 1 as the center number
17 jewel model have either a 2 or a 5 as the center number

6 size watches (which were the first South-Bends watches made):

11 jewels have a 6 as the center number
15 jewels have a 7 as the center number
17 jewels have a 8 as the center number

12 size watches:

15 jewels have a 0 as the center number
17 jewels have a 1 as the center number
19 jewels have a 2 as the center number
21 jewels have a 3 (many regard the 431 as one of the highest S-B watches)

16 size watches: (RR Grade exceptions apply to center number rule)

lower grade have a 0 as the center number
medium grades have a 1 as the center number
Railroad Grade Model 2 movements have a 2 as the center number like 227, 223 and 229 designate them as 16 size RR Grade Model 2 movements

In other words with 16-size, it works like this:

7 jewels have a 6 as the center number
15 jewel have an 8 as the center number
Higher quality including the RR Grades 292, 293, 294, and 295 in Model 1 brings a 9 to the center number
Railroad Grade 16-size Model 2 movements have a 2 as the center number


18 size watches: (RR Grade exceptions and time of introduction apply to the center number rule)

lower grade have 0 as the center number
medium and higher grades have a 1, 3 or 4 as the center number
Model 2 Railroad Grade have 2 in center like 327, 323, 328 and 329 which are the only 18 size with 2 as a center number


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To Peter's second question, Lindell responded the Grade numbers in 18-size are a bit random, some of that due to time of introduction, he often says... "The things we so obsess over today meant nothing to them, they were just building and selling watches."

Hope all this information is of help to you and others.


South-Bend preamble in "Complete Guide to Watches" shown below

Debbie and Lindell thank you for taking your time and answering my question now its all clear .

To all members and non members where can you find information like that ?
ONLY ONE PLACE IHC185

Great info, thanks guys of IHC !!

regards,
bb