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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Rockford Grade 930 E. E. Slocum Private Label 18-Size Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This openface pocket watch is associated with the Rockford Watch Company and retailer E. E. Slocum of Lake View, Michigan. The source reports that the 18-size, 17-jewel manual-wind movement dates to circa 1905, is lever set, adjusted, and bears serial number 659202. The watch is cased in a round 10K yellow gold-filled case measuring 54.4 mm in diameter, with markings from the Philadelphia Watch Case Company guaranteed for twenty years. Its white dial features black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, ornate pierced gilt hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of Rockford 18-size openface pocket watch showing dial, hands, crown, and bow
Front view of Rockford 18-size openface pocket watch showing dial, hands, crown, and bow — Second Hand 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 930
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-4028
Source-reported date
1905
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
659202

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 Visual Presentation

The open-face pocket watch features a white dial signed 'Rockford' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position. The hour markers are upright black Arabic numerals complemented by an outer track with five-minute Arabic markers, while pierced gilt hands indicate the hours and minutes. A sunken subsidiary seconds dial with a straight gilt hand is positioned at 6 o'clock.

The dial is enclosed by a polished yellow-tone bezel with a fluted winding crown and circular bow at 12 o'clock. Visible elements correspond to an open-face configuration, with the seller describing the hands as 'gold matching hands' and the dial as an 'original white dial with black Arabic Numerals'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial signed 'Rockford' in cursive script under 12 o'clock”
  • “Upright black Arabic hour numerals with outer track and five-minute Arabic markers”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds dial with straight gilt hand at 6 o'clock”
  • “Polished yellow-tone bezel with fluted crown and circular bow at 12 o'clock”
  • “original white dial with black Arabic Numerals, bold minute track and gold matching hands.”

Reported Movement and Private Label Inscription

According to the listing, the watch contains a manual-wind movement sized at 18s with 17 jewels, an adjusted balance, and a lever-setting mechanism. The seller transcribes the movement inscription as 'E. E. Slocum Grade 930 17 jewels Adjusted 659202 Lake View, Mich.' and characterizes the watch as an 'E. E. Slocum Private Label Pocket Watch' dated to 1905.

Because internal movement components are not displayed in the photograph, details regarding the mechanical layout, jewel count, adjustment, and movement serial number 659202 cannot be verified from the image and represent unconfirmed seller statements.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: E. E. Slocum Grade 930 17 jewels Adjusted 659202 Lake View, Mich.”
  • “It is a manual wind pocket watch featuring a E. E. Slocum movement grade 930, 17 jewels, 18s, lever set, sub-second, adjusted, made in U.S.A.”
  • “This is a vintage Rockford private label pocket watch dated from the 1905.”

Case Dimensions and Stated Markings

The source describes the watch as housed in a round case measuring 54.4 mm in diameter, 72.7 mm including the crown, and 19.2 mm in thickness, with an engraved design executed in 10K yellow gold filled. Case back markings are transcribed by the vendor as 'Guaranteed Philadelphia - Watch Co. Twenty Years 1016467'.

The case back interior and reverse engravings are not depicted in the provided front-view photograph. Direct inspection is restricted to the visible yellow-tone bezel, bow, and crown; internal hallmarks, metal purity guarantees, and serial stamps remain unverified by visual evidence.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a 54.4mm round case with an engraved design, all in 10K yellow gold filled.”
  • “Case Back Markings: Guaranteed Philadelphia - Watch Co. Twenty Years 1016467”
  • “Case Diameter 54.4”
  • “Case with Crown 72.7 Case Thickness 19.2”

Open research questions

  • Does direct examination of the movement confirm serial number 659202, 17 jewels, and the E. E. Slocum retailer inscription?
  • Does internal inspection of the case back show the reported Philadelphia Watch Case Company twenty-year guarantee and serial number 1016467?
  • Can Rockford factory production ledgers corroborate the 1905 manufacturing date for Grade 930 run 659202?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rockford Grade 930 E. E. Slocum Private Label 18-Size Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement InscriptionE. E. Slocum Grade 930 17 jewels Adjusted 659202 Lake View, Mich.“Movement: E. E. Slocum Grade 930 17 jewels Adjusted 659202 Lake View, Mich.”
Case Back MarkingsGuaranteed Philadelphia - Watch Co. Twenty Years 1016467“Case Back Markings: Guaranteed Philadelphia - Watch Co. Twenty Years 1016467”
Case Diameter54.4 mm“Case Diameter 54.4”
Size and Setting18s, lever set“18s, lever set”
Case Height with Crown72.7 mm“Case with Crown 72.7”
Case Thickness19.2 mm“Case Thickness 19.2”
Reported Case Composition10K yellow gold filled“all in 10K yellow gold filled.”

Visible details

  • White dial signed 'Rockford' in cursive script under 12 o'clock
  • Upright black Arabic hour numerals with outer track and five-minute Arabic markers
  • Elaborate pierced gilt hands in Louis XV style
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial with straight gilt hand at 6 o'clock
  • Polished yellow-tone bezel with fluted crown and circular bow at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back markings are reported by the source but not visible in the provided image
  • Case composition is reported by the source as 10K yellow gold filled
  • Production date of 1905 is based on source attribution

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

Consulted source

1905 ROCKFORD Pocket Watch 18s Grade 930 Lever Set 17 Jewels Adjusted – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 30545dd9c6

Terms in this record

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

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