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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement

Manistee Watch Company 16-size movement, serial 0028148

Partially verified

This 16-size pocket watch movement was manufactured by the Manistee Watch Company of Manistee, Michigan, and bears zero-padded serial number 0028148. Introduced as a higher-grade alternative to the firm's initial 18-size production before the company folded around 1912, this open-face movement features 17 jewels and a micrometric patent regulator. Rather than jewel the center wheel on the pillar plate, Manistee attained the 17-jewel specification by fitting a cap jewel onto the upper escape wheel. The top plate is engraved 'Manistee Watch Co. Manistee, Mich.', alongside markings for '17 JEWELS' and the serial number.

Movement view of Manistee Watch Co. 16-size movement serial number 0028148, showing plate layout, micrometric regulator, and bridge engravings.
Movement view of Manistee Watch Co. 16-size movement serial number 0028148, showing plate layout, micrometric regulator, and bridge engravings. — Nathan Moore. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
blog.pocketwatchdatabase.com
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Manistee Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1910-1912
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
0028148

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Serial Markings

Movement number 0028148 is a 16-size pocket watch movement manufactured by the Manistee Watch Company of Manistee, Michigan. Designed as a higher-quality line following early production of 18-size movements, the piece retains the zero-padded serial number convention found on the maker's earlier output. The source notes that this zero-padded practice was discontinued shortly after serial number 30,001.

Direct visual inspection shows a bridge plate configuration decorated with wave damaskeening and floral engraving on the balance cock. Engravings on the plates confirm the signature 'Manistee Watch Co. Manistee, Mich.', the jewel count designation '17 JEWELS', and the serial number '0028148'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Following the rough start with inexpensive 18-Size movements, the Manistee Watch Company developed a 16-Size movement to introduce a higher quality movement to the market.”
  • “Initially, the 16-Size movements maintained the curious zero-padded serial numbers similar to those found on most 18-Size movements. However, this practice was phased out shortly after serial number 30,001.”
  • “Engraved plate signature reading 'Manistee Watch Co. Manistee, Mich.'”
  • “Engraved barrel bridge markings '17 JEWELS' and zero-padded serial number '0028148'.”

Jeweling and Escapement Construction

Although marked for 17 jewels, the jewel layout differs from standard American practice where the center wheel typically carries upper and lower pivot hole jewels. The source explains that Manistee left the center wheel unjeweled on the pillar plate, instead reaching the 17-jewel specification by installing a cap jewel on the upper escape wheel.

Visible on the balance assembly are a balance wheel with timing screws, a hairspring under the balance cock, and a micrometric regulator assembly with an index marked 'F' and 'S'. Historical specifications from a 1912 S.F. Myers & Company catalog cited by the source describe the model as featuring exposed pallets, a Breguet steel hairspring, and a double roller escapement with a steel escape wheel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Instead, Manistee opted to leave the center wheel unjeweled on the pillar plate and achieved the 17-Jewel count by fitting a cap jewel on the upper escape wheel.”
  • “Visible micrometric regulator assembly with index scale marked 'F' and 'S'.”
  • “Balance wheel with timing screws and hairspring visible under the balance cock.”
  • ““Nickel, 17 jewels, double sunk dial, with marginal figures, exposed pallets, compensating balance wheel, Breguet steel hairspring, polished micrometric patent regulator, double roller escapement with steel escape wheel, pendant setting.””

Commercial Context and Observations

In contemporary marketing, the 16-size Manistee movement was listed in the 1912 S.F. Myers & Company catalog at $20.75, compared to $31.66 for an Elgin Grade 386. The plate configuration was noted by the source as bearing a striking resemblance to the 16-size Elgin Model 6. The manufacturer ceased operations in 1912.

In the provided movement photograph, the movement is shown mounted in an open watch case frame with a pendant winding stem. The internal escapement parts and front dial mentioned in the historical catalog text are not fully displayed in this single back-plate view.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 1912 S.F. Myers & Company catalog listed the 16-Size Manistee movements at $20.75, while the comparable Elgin Grade 386 was priced at $31.66.”
  • “In fact, the cut of the plates is strikingly similar to the 16-Size Elgin Model 6 on the market at that time.”
  • “Unfortunately for the Manistee Watch Company, the efforts to seize market share ultimately failed, and the company finally collapsed in 1912.”
  • “Movement shown mounted in an open watch case frame with pendant winding stem.”

Open research questions

  • What markings or serial stamps, if any, are located on the pillar plate beneath the dial of movement 0028148?
  • Does movement 0028148 remain paired with the double-sunk dial shown in the accompanying blog photographs?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Manistee Watch Company 16-size movement, serial 0028148
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and model identificationManistee Watch Company 16-Size Movement“Manistee Watch Company 16-Size Movement, #0028148”
Jewel count17 jewels“featured 17 jewels, contrasting the seven jewels in the 18-Size model.”
Jeweling constructionCenter wheel unjeweled on pillar plate; cap jewel on upper escape wheel“Manistee opted to leave the center wheel unjeweled on the pillar plate and achieved the 17-Jewel count by fitting a cap jewel on the upper escape wheel.”
Serial numbering styleZero-padded serial number“Initially, the 16-Size movements maintained the curious zero-padded serial numbers similar to those found on most 18-Size movements.”
Original catalog price$20.75 in 1912 S.F. Myers & Company catalog“The 1912 S.F. Myers & Company catalog listed the 16-Size Manistee movements at $20.75”
Plate layout design resemblanceSimilar to 16-size Elgin Model 6“the cut of the plates is strikingly similar to the 16-Size Elgin Model 6 on the market at that time.”
Configurations offeredHunting and open-face“This movement was offered in both hunting and open-face configurations”

Visible details

  • Bridge plate configuration with decorative wave damaskeening and floral engraving on the balance cock.
  • Engraved plate signature reading 'Manistee Watch Co. Manistee, Mich.'
  • Engraved barrel bridge markings '17 JEWELS' and zero-padded serial number '0028148'.
  • Visible micrometric regulator assembly with index scale marked 'F' and 'S'.
  • Balance wheel with timing screws and hairspring visible under the balance cock.
  • Movement shown mounted in an open watch case frame with pendant winding stem.

Research qualifications

  • The 1912 catalog description cited by the source (Breguet steel hairspring, double roller escapement) represents original contemporary specifications; individual internal components are reported by the source rather than fully visible in this single back-plate view.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

The Manistee Watch Company 16-Size Movement - Pocket Watch Database Blog

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ec3c074c0f

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