Here is an unusual 15-jewel lever-set Grade 204. It is finished throughout, meaning the dial side of the pillar plate and the ratchet wheel plate are both perlaged, the setting yoke and lever are polished, and it's fitted for a dust band.
Note the early serial number, SN 203621, and the older script signature:
Listed in the 1904 catalog for a mere $1.90, they were available only in 7-jewel variants, and were used for several named grades such as Corona, Colonial, and this Model 13 Republic:
In the above catalog layout, it clearly states that Models 12 and 13 are not numbered (which answers Pete's question a few pages back) - and yet this one is, SN 1751025.
It fronts a scarce red and black Roman-numeral marked dial.
Thanks to our own Barry Hanstein for this example.
Unlike Columbus, Elgin, and others, Seth Thomas apparently didn't assign grade numbers for every single damask pattern - I'm assuming that because there are far too many pattern variants.
The 1896 price list shown below lists Dave's excellent lever-set Model 3 as a Grade 179, an open-face nickel movement with 17 jewels and a micro-regulator.
$18 would've been somewhat pricey back in the day. Note the half-headed case screws and the lack of a dust band.
Eric While restoring it, I could not help but notice the extremely detailed finish work, fitment quality and Damaskeening on EVERY side of EVERY main part of this watch. That told me it was expected to sell at a very respectable price.
It is still trying to run RR's. 18000+/-2 beats per hour
So thank you for confirming my suspicions. I guess it is another correction the P.G. could make use of.
It sure looks like a Model 13 Seth to me, Rob. The only way to be sure would be to pull the dial. Back up a page and scroll up a few panes for more info, just above the two-tone Republic (also a Model 13).
The Pan-American Expo was held here in Buffalo in 1901, it's opening having been delayed a couple years by the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Nikola Tesla installed his 3-phase alternating-current generator at nearby Niagara Falls, and power lines were run to Buffalo to illuminate the Expo. The Queen City was re-dubbed The City Of Light, but all this was eclipsed by the assassination of President William McKinley in September of 1901.
I can't remember but I believe I took this movement out and looked at where the dial feet screws were and that is how I determined that I thought it was a Seth THomas. I might have to take time to double check now.