Newest acquisition - 12 size 431

July 09, 2011, 15:59

Michael Loggins

My first South Bend and I'm more than a little impressed. Beautiful bridge movement, nice geneva stripes decoration, gold jewel settings, nice flat click.

Nice early first run watch. One question. What is the polished white metal used for setting the cap jewels? Is it white gold? Polished steel?

July 22, 2011, 09:43

Francis Bowman

Michael can you show us a photos so we can see this little beauty of your please. The South Bend seem to have style about them that some of the other makers didnt have.....Francis

July 22, 2011, 13:20

Lindell V. Riddle

Hello Mike,

I always felt those were white gold settings. Everything on the 431 was first class, they spared no expense because the 12-size South-Bend Grade 431 was arguably their very best watch. Get this, at the time they were introduced the price was $100.00 in a Solid-Gold case. That is remarkable because previously the South-Bend Polaris which is a 16-size in what was of course a heavier case carried a $75.00 list price. And although I may be a bit partial my sentiments dove-tail with those of Francis, the South-Bend movements had a... "style about them" ...which is evident in everything they made.

One of my favorite stories about the Studebaker family involves the sign they had placed above the entry door on the inside so everyone working there had to see it as a constant reminder... "Always Give More Than You Promise" ...was what it said, good words for us all to remember in everything we do.

Please do share the movement number and images of your 431 here in this topic.

Congratulations on a great acquisition,

Lindell

July 22, 2011, 19:51

Edward L. Parsons, Jr.

That sounds logical Lin, the 431 is first class all the way for sure. I consider my 431 to be the best South Bend in my collection.

Congrats on your acquisition Mike!

July 22, 2011, 22:07

Ethan Lipsig

My only South Bend is a 431 in a two-tone solid 14k South Bend open face case, photo below.

July 23, 2011, 06:46

Francis Bowman

Ethan that is BEAUTIFUL, thanks for showing us.

July 26, 2011, 04:32

Lindell V. Riddle

When SERIOUS collectors like Ed and Ethan consider the 12-size 431 to be their best representative South-Bend watch, that really means something increasingly important to the perception of these great watches

July 30, 2011, 23:16

Michael Loggins

Sorry, for not sharing a picture but the watch is at the watchmaker being put in good condition. When it comes back I'll be glad to share.

August 13, 2011, 15:06

Michael Loggins

Finally got my "new" South Bend 431 back from the watchmaker.

August 13, 2011, 15:07

Michael Loggins

Here is the movement of the SB grade 431

September 11, 2011, 04:38

John J. Flahive III

Awesome 431!!

One of the hardest South Bend watches to find.

Congrats!

September 11, 2011, 07:33

Edward L. Parsons, Jr.

Good stuff Michael! That's a really stunning 431.