Internet Horology Club 185
Research Work Needed on the Grade 304
March 11, 2009, 17:08
Keith KlimkowiczResearch Work Needed on the Grade 304
Hi
We are doing research work on the Grades 337 and 345 so we can get the price guide up-dated as to rarity.
So all you South Bend Collectors can you post known serial numbers here:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...4101939/m/3026087284We need to do similar research for the Grade 304. Specify the movement number, style of damaskeening pattern and other specifics such as Double Roller or Adjusted markings. Also important is the dial, whether it is configured as a hunter or an open face watch.
Thanks
Here are two Grade 304 with different damaskeening patterns, on the left is number 730160 which was sold as a hunter and 730800 a hunter movement with no seconds bit, sold as an open face with a flat, non-sunk dial.
March 24, 2009, 09:50
Keith KlimkowiczHi
Is the South Bend 304 that scarce that nobody has any to report? Please post your serial numbers.
Thanks
March 26, 2009, 10:26
Ernie LogaHere is the number of a 304 called in to me by a friend who is not a member yet of IHC 185.
730504
March 26, 2009, 15:09
Keith KlimkowiczThanks Ernie
Did you get which damaskeening pattern is on this movement.
Known 304 movements
730160 Zig-Zag Pattern
730504 Straight-line Pattern
730800 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730964 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
Keith
March 26, 2009, 15:36
Ernie LogaKeith:
I am emailing him for that information. All of his watches are in a Bank Lock box so he has to actually go to the bank during business hours to get the information. He has a list of grades and serial numbers at home.
As soon as I get the information from him I will post it.
March 27, 2009, 09:18
Keith KlimkowiczThanks Ernie
We have four listed out of one run of 1,000. I know that you South Bend collectors are holding back come on post your serial number or email me if you prefer to keep anonymous (jac4ky@aol.com).
March 28, 2009, 00:14
Ernie LogaHere is the latest report:
Serial #Grade Damaskeening
730160 304 Zig Zag
730504 304 Straight line
730800 304 Straight line
Here is an updated photo showing the patterns with labels:
October 01, 2010, 09:40
Keith KlimkowiczI need to bring this back to the top of the list. We only have 8 listed? For research we need more to come forward. Please list your 18s 304 serial number. Added a 6th 01/18/2012,Rev 8/30/2013
Thanks
Known 304 movements
730077 Zig-Zag Pattern
730160 Zig-Zag Pattern
730313 Zig-Zag Pattern w/ second bit
730504 Straight-line Pattern
730800 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730849 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730945 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730964 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
October 02, 2010, 14:09
Ted ValdezI have a 304 S/N 730077 with the zig-zag patten on the movment.
October 02, 2010, 17:04
Keith KlimkowiczThanks Ted
I added it to the list.
Regards
Keith
October 04, 2010, 04:53
Frank KusumotoKeith,
I'm interested in your opinion on the matter of the the WAG of the temporal metrology of this project? Considering this and the earlier thread, how many examples, what sigma of certainty, etc. do suppose it will take. And what is going to take to at least have settled on some degree of consensus?
Best,
Frank
March 03, 2011, 10:17
Keith KlimkowiczWOW... Have you seen the new 2011 price guide. It now lists the 304 as a one star watch. We still need more serial numbers to add to the data base.
Any help is welcome.
Regards
Keith
ps Thanks to Lindell Riddle for presenting and getting changes made to the South Bend section of the price guide.
August 30, 2013, 17:42
Jared BrinkerKeith-
Both of my 304's are missing from the list:
730313 zig zag w/ seconds bit
730849 Straight line no seconds bit
Thanks,
Jared
August 31, 2013, 09:37
Keith KlimkowiczThanks Jared
Added them to the list.
It looks like that the only run of 1000 was split at the 500 mark. First 500 (73000-730499) were the Zig-Zag pattern with a second bit. The second half over (730500-731000) were the straight line pattern without the second bit.
This should increase the rarity of the 304, as now we know that there are two patterns to collect. The Zig-Zag pattern which should be in a hunter case, and the Straight line pattern without the second bit (Special Dial) in a open face case.
Repeating Known 304 movements
Type I
730013 Zig-Zag Pattern w/ second bit no case
730077 Zig-Zag Pattern
730094 Zig-Zag Pattern w/ second bit
730160 Zig-Zag Pattern w/ second bit
730313 Zig-Zag Pattern w/ second bit
730349 Zig-Zag Pattern w/ second bit
Type II
730504 Straight-line Pattern
730584 Straight-Line Pattern w/ second bit
730671 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730760 Straight-line Pattern w/ second bit
Type III
730800 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730806 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit No Case
730849 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730945 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
730964 Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit
December 30, 2016, 13:17
Keith KlimkowiczAny more to report? I just added one to the list 730349, which is a type I.
December 31, 2016, 18:20
Rafal WolerThanks Keith for keeping it up to date

Im still hunting for both of them. Happy new year! (it just hit midnight in Poland, so we are in 2017)
March 05, 2017, 09:53
Keith KlimkowiczAll
Added another number today 730584.
Interesting if we look at the list of Type II. A third type is clearly taking shape. Type II would be Straight-line Pattern with a seconds bit (true hunter). Type III would start at 730800 and be Straight-line Pattern No Second Bit (converted to Open Face).
Welcome comments.
April 30, 2017, 04:48
Rafal WolerNew serial popped out 730094 with second bit, zig zag pattern.
April 30, 2017, 09:13
Keith KlimkowiczThanks
Keep up the search!
May 16, 2017, 01:59
Rafal Wolerand next one: 730671 - no sconds bit, stripes, recased.