The South Bend grade 415 was a short-lived grade from the original "Chesterfield" series. It's life span was only four runs between c.1911 and 1915. The 415 was the first "Chesterfield" movement produced by South Bend according to serial number sequence and thus holds a special spot in the "Chesterfield" line. It was dropped from production shortly after the introduction of the grade 429. The 415 is a 17 jewel watch that is adjusted to temperature, one step above the grade 411 that was an unadjusted 17 jewel watch. The 415 occupied a middle ground between the upper-end 431 and 419, and the lower-end 411 and 407. Like the upper-end movements it had a superior escape-wheel and nicely rounded spokes on the train wheels, but like the lower-end it had black lettering (vice gilded) and the undecorated "hidden" parts (instead of superior finishing on visible and hidden parts). Apparently the 20% premium for adjustment to temperature was not a bargain in the eyes of the buying public. With only four-thousand completed movements the 415 is a somewhat uncommon watch and a definite plus to any collection of the South Bend "Chesterfield" series.

Amongst the four runs of the 415 are three different variants. The first two runs were identical and are referred to as variant "A". The third and fourth run differed from each other and from the first two runs and are respectively referred to as variants "B" and "C". Here is a breakdown of the differences between the grade 415 variants "A", "B" and "C".

Variant "A"
Runs 618001-619000, 641001-642000
Serial Number - On Bridge
Balance Cock - Engraved
Mainplate - Damaskeened
Barrel - Damaskeened
Pallet Bridge - Damaskeened
Screws - Rounded
Jewel Settings - Flush
Nomenclature - 415 Double Roller
Regulator Screw - 1st Style

Variant "B"
Run 699001-700000
Serial Number - On Bridge
Balance Cock - Engraved
Mainplate - Plain
Barrel - Plain
Pallet Bridge - Plain
Screws - Flat
Jewel Settings - Raised
Nomenclature - 415 Double Roller
Regulator Screw - 2nd Style

Variant "C"
Run 821001-822000
Serial Number - On Mainplate
Balance Cock - Plain
Mainplate - Damaskeened
Barrel - Plain
Pallet Bridge - Plain
Screws - Flat
Jewel Settings - Raised
Nomenclature - 415 ("Double Roller" moved to Balance recess)
Regulator Screw - 2nd Style

Following are pictures of the three variants in chronological order.


Frank "407" Kusumoto

Variant "A"

Variant "B"

Variant "C"

Awesome Frank . Thanks for all the South Bend info you post to this site.

Jeff