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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Rockford Grade 93 Size 18s Pocket Watch

Partially verified

The source reports that this antique pocket watch by Rockford Watch Company dates to 1888 and houses a size 18s, Grade 93, Model 8 movement with 9 jewels. According to the seller, the movement features a pin lever set mechanism, gilt finish, flat hairspring, and serial number 314380. The watch is cased in a 58.7 mm silverode case stamped by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. under serial number 168103. The white dial features black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, blued-steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of Rockford pocket watch showing white enamel dial, blued hands, and silverode case
Front view of Rockford pocket watch showing white enamel dial, blued hands, and silverode case — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rockford Watch Company
Reference
Grade 93, Model 8
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3325
Source-reported date
1888
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
314380

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

Dial and Hands

Visual observation shows a white dial signed "Rockford" below 12 o'clock, with black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and blued-steel spade hour and minute hands. A subsidiary seconds subdial is situated at the 6 o'clock position.

The seller describes the subsidiary seconds register as featuring Breguet numerals and a stick seconds hand. While the dial is presented in front photography, the source notes a slight chip in the glass crystal located on the side at the 2 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial signed 'Rockford' below 12 o'clock”
  • “Black Roman numeral hour markers with an outer minute track”
  • “Blued-steel spade hour and minute hands”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock”
  • “It has a sub second at 6 o'clock with Breguet numerals and is signed Rockford.”
  • “The blued-steel hour and minute hands are both spade shaped, and a stick second.”
  • “It has a very solid glass crystal that does have a slight chip on the side located at 2 o'clock.”

Case Specifications

The watch is fitted in an open-face metal case measuring 58.7 mm in diameter, 76.9 mm including the crown, and 20 mm in thickness. Direct observations confirm coin-edge reeding along the outer bezel rim and a fluted onion-shaped winding crown with pendant and round bow.

According to the seller's description of interior markings, the case is silverode and stamped "Philidelphia Watch Case Co. Silverode 168103". The seller records a total weight of 6.2 ounces, a crown height of 18.2 mm, and notes visible exterior metal discoloration consistent with age, though the inner case marks are not visible in the provided dial photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Coin-edge reeding on the outer bezel rim”
  • “Fluted onion-shaped winding crown with pendant and round bow”
  • “Case Diameter: 58.7”
  • “Case Diameter with Crown: 76.9”
  • “Case Thickness: 20”
  • “Case Back Marks: Philidelphia Watch Case Co. Silverode 168103”
  • “It is quite a heavy timepiece, weighing in at 6.2 ounces.”
  • “It has a tall 18.2 mm crown.”
  • “The 58.7 mm silverode case is in very good condition, and it does show some discoloration consistent with age.”

Reported Movement Details

Because the mechanical movement is housed inside the closed case and not visible in the supplied imagery, all mechanical details derive solely from the seller's claims. The seller reports an American-made, size 18s, Model 8 movement designated as Grade 93, bearing movement serial number 314380 and inscribed "R. W. Co. Rockford, ILL 314380".

Additional dealer specifications state that the movement features 9 jewels, a pin lever setting mechanism, a hunting movement configuration, a flat hairspring, and a gilt finish. The seller assigns an 1888 production date and notes the watch is unadjusted and not railroad grade, though these attributes are not verified by independent observation.

Evidence for this section
  • “The USA-made movement is Grade 93, Size 18s, Model 8, 9 Jewels, and is pin lever set.”
  • “Movement: R. W. Co. Rockford, ILL 314380”
  • “The movement serial number is 314380.”
  • “It has a Hunting movement configuration, flat hairspring and has a gilt movement finish.”
  • “It is not adjusted, nor is it railroad grade.”
  • “This is an incredible antique Rockford pocket watch from 1888.”

Open research questions

  • Does movement serial number 314380 corroborate the 1888 production date in Rockford Watch Company factory ledgers?
  • Why does the seller designate the movement as a 'Hunting movement configuration' when the watch is presented in an open-face case with seconds at 6 o'clock and the crown at 12 o'clock?
  • Can direct inspection of the interior case back confirm the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. Silverode hallmark and serial number 168103?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rockford Grade 93 Size 18s Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade and ModelGrade 93, Model 8“The USA-made movement is Grade 93, Size 18s, Model 8, 9 Jewels”
Movement Serial Number314380“The movement serial number is 314380.”
Jewel Count9 Jewels“Model 8, 9 Jewels, and is pin lever”
Case Maker and MaterialPhiladelphia Watch Case Co. Silverode“Case Back Marks: Philidelphia Watch Case Co. Silverode 168103”
Case Diameter58.7 mm“Case Diameter: 58.7”
Total Weight6.2 ounces“weighing in at 6.2 ounces”
Case Diameter with Crown76.9 mm“Case Diameter with Crown: 76.9”
Case Thickness20 mm“Case Thickness: 20”
Crown Height18.2 mm“It has a tall 18.2 mm crown.”
Movement InscriptionR. W. Co. Rockford, ILL 314380“Movement: R. W. Co. Rockford, ILL 314380”

Visible details

  • White dial signed 'Rockford' below 12 o'clock
  • Black Roman numeral hour markers with an outer minute track
  • Blued-steel spade hour and minute hands
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Coin-edge reeding on the outer bezel rim
  • Fluted onion-shaped winding crown with pendant and round bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the photograph to independently verify movement grade, jewel count, or serial number
  • Source notes a slight chip in the glass crystal at the 2 o'clock edge
  • Date of 1888 is source-reported and not independently visible on the dial

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

Consulted source

Antique 1888 ROCKFORD Pocket Watch Size 18S Grade 93 9 Jewels – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 91c88a4a87

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Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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