I found this watch today at an antique shop near where I live. The dial caught my eye, but the case was beat up, so I was kind of disappointed. However, I was very surprised when I opened up the back of the case to find out that it was a grade 229 "The Studebaker" in very good condition.

I was able to negotiate 10% off of the $250 price due to the condition of case, so after taxes I have $CAD 254.25 or $USD 240.67 in the watch.

If anyone has a nice Canadian case that would be appropriate for this watch, I would be highly interested in buying it to make this watch right again.


John III

Here is the movement. It started right up when I wound it.

Here is the worn out case that needs to be replaced:

Hey John, Wow! What a deal! And a super looking Southbend! Finding a great looking Canadian Monty dial is really hard to do from most any watch company. Wish it were mine!

Joe

John:
Congratulations! That's a very RARE and WONDERFUL dial and watch too! I hope you find a nice case for it.
Cheers!
Joel

Wow John the dial if there is no hairlines is worth quite a bit more than what you paid for the complete watch..

Lindell and I talked on the phone about this watch. Originally, when I picked it up, I thought it could be the perfect carry watch since the case was trashed, but the inside was near perfect with a high quality movement and a conversation piece dial. Then I talked to Lin about this one and was surprised that he hasn't seen the dial in a 16s watch especially since he is one of the experts on South Bend watches. So after finding out that this is a very rare dial, I have definitely changed my mind about carrying it.

And Samie, there are no hairlines that I can see...

John III

John,
Enjoy and take care of the dial.
Tony

FOLLOWING-UP ABOUT A YEAR LATER...


Just over a year ago when John Flahive III came across his 16-size "The Studebaker" Grade 229 with Canadian Marginal-Minute Dial he was surprised to find he had the only one of those dials ever reported to exist among South-Bend collectors. More than a year later, with this topic in public view and showing up on searches it is still the only one known. Back in 2000 I had acquired the 18-size version that would later be featured in NAWCC Bulletin, page 94 of the February 2001 issue with this caption...

"This must be as hard to come by as they get, a Double Sunk, script-signed, marginal minute dial with an inner ring of 13-24 hour numbers. Such dials were typically used in Canadian Railroad Service."


"This must be as hard to come by as they get..."

Very nice dial, movement & case. Lindell your watches put everyone of mine to shame. I wish I would ever run across one of those.

Tom

Lindell,

Beautiful dial, movement, and case that really shows off this Gem.

Congrats & thanks to John and Lin for sharing their examples of rare and stunning South Bend dials.

That is what IHC185 is all about after all.

Canadian dials with red 13-24 numerals are a personal favorite of mine and that "swoosh" South Bend signature makes it a home run out of the park!

Another update:

The watch I bought back in 2007 with the amazing dial also had a corroded case that was worn to brass in the typical areas. I am happy to report that this case has had a make-over and is now shiny new again!

I sent the original, corroded Canada-made case to Master Casemaker Peter Wuischpard in Cocoa, FL after discussing the case with him on the phone (888-811-3934). I got the case back in about a month, which is what he promised, and it looks nearly new. I am well pleased and ready to send him another Canada-made case for a Waltham I picked up at an antiques show with a neat 24 hr dial and a perfect 1/8" ring of brass around the back.

Here is the before picture as a reminder.

And here is the same case after replating. I had a hard time taking a good picture since the surface is essentially a convex mirror.

I kept putting my fingerprints all over it trying to position it. Now you know what the inside of my light tent looks like.

The polishing and replating cost me $90 including shipping. Link to Peter's website in case you are interested: Wuischpard & Son Watchcase Repairs

John III

Also, I just got this watch in the mail today from Rob Jones. It is a South Bend Grade 227 with a 24 hr dial and a NAWCCo Case. It has a few hairlines, but I think they will soak out nicely. Not too bad for $260 including shipping.

Hello John:

Here's a photo of my South Bend Grade 227's dial. It is also cased in a NAWCO case and the serial number is 1090384 it would be interesting to see how close your serial number is.

Larry

Hi Larry,

Your watch looks like a twin! Mine has a serial number 1090359. Only 25 away from yours!!!

Case serial number is 7236346. Marked "NAWCO, Security, 10 Karat, Gold Filled, Railroad Model, Patented". Has a nice train engraved on the back.

John III

Hello John:

Yes the only difference I can see, is that your hands are heavier spades than mine, my case I believe does have a locomotive engraved on the back, although well-worn. I will get back this afternoon with the case serial number.

Larry

Hello John:

My case has the same markings, but the serial number is 7266337 not as close as the movement serial numbers.

Larry

Thanks for checking Larry. Although they aren't as close as the movements, they are still in the same neighborhood: 72xxxxx

John III

Here is my South Bend Grade 227 after the dial was soaked three times in Polident Whitening

Nice South Bends guys!!! So Polident works does it? That dial looks awesome, can't even see the hiarline that was near the 8.

Hi All

Just picked this one off Ebay it also is in a "NAWCO" case with a train on the back. Watch is from a different run 1192229 but the case is close 7272808.

Regards
Keith

Looks like a nice original watch Keith. I must have missed that one since I am still unpacking in my new house.

John III