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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Rockford Watch Co. Grade 935 18s Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this openface pocket watch is dated to 1910 and was manufactured by the Rockford Watch Co. in the United States. It features a size 18s, grade 935, model 9 manual-wind movement recorded with 17 jewels and serial number 840578, operated via a lever-setting mechanism. The white dial displays Arabic numerals, a sunken center, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and a perimeter minute track with red five-minute numerals. The silver-tone case measures 54.2 mm in diameter and is reported to feature a display case back.

Front view of the Rockford Watch Co. openface pocket watch on a wooden display stand
Front view of the Rockford Watch Co. openface pocket watch on a wooden display stand — Secondhand Horology, LLC. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rockford Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 935, Model 9
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-4027
Source-reported date
1910
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
840578

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 Hand Configuration

The pocket watch features an openface white dial with black Arabic numerals for hour markers and a sunken central portion. Below the 12 o'clock marker, the dial is signed 'Rockford Watch Co.' Outer calibration consists of minute tick marks and red Arabic five-minute indicators, with a recessed subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

Time is marked by blued steel hands, including a spade or pear profile hour hand, matching minute hand, and a small subsidiary seconds hand. The seller claims the dial and hands remain original.

Evidence for this section
  • “Openface white dial signed 'Rockford Watch Co.' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Black Arabic hour numerals with sunken central section and recessed subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Outer track featuring minute tick marks and red Arabic five-minute indicators.”
  • “It still has the original white dial with black Arabic Numerals, black/red minute track and blue steel matching hands.”

Case Form and Dimensions

The watch is housed in a polished silver-tone circular metal case fitted with an upper crown and bow. In the primary photograph, it is shown hanging from a wooden pocket watch stand, which the listing notes is not included.

Seller measurements report a case diameter of 54.2 mm, expanding to 66.5 mm when measured with the winding crown, and a total case thickness of 17.7 mm. The vendor reports that the case is equipped with a display case back; metal content and case maker signatures are not stated in the listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Polished silver-tone circular metal case with top crown and bow, photographed suspended from a wooden stand.”
  • “*The pocket watch holder is not included with the purchase of this pocket watch.”
  • “Case Diameter 54.2”
  • “Case with Crown 66.5”
  • “Case Thickness 17.7”
  • “Cased in a 54.2mm round case with display case back.”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

Internal mechanical details are reported entirely by the seller, as movement plates are not visible in the front dial image. The seller records the movement as an 18-size manual-wind mechanism designated as Grade 935, Model 9, with 17 jewels and a lever-setting mechanism.

The seller transcribes the movement engraving as 'R. W. Co. Rockford, ILL. 17 Jewels 840578' and dates the timepiece to 1910 based on this information.

Evidence for this section
  • “original Rockford Watch Co. movement grade 935, model 9, 17 jewels, 18s, lever set, sub-second, made in U.S.A.”
  • “Movement: R. W. Co. Rockford, ILL. 17 Jewels 840578”
  • “It is a Rockford Watch Co. pocket watch dated from 1910.”

Open research questions

  • What specific metal composition or manufacturer hallmarks are stamped on the interior or rim of the case?
  • Does direct visual inspection of movement serial 840578 verify the Grade 935 and Model 9 designation and finish?
  • Is the display case back an original factory casing or a later aftermarket exhibition adaptation?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rockford Watch Co. Grade 935 18s Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement GradeGrade 935“original Rockford Watch Co. movement grade 935”
Movement Serial Number840578“R. W. Co. Rockford, ILL. 17 Jewels 840578”
Jewel Count17 Jewels“17 jewels”
Setting MechanismLever set“lever set”
Case Diameter54.2 mm“Case Diameter 54.2”
Case Width with Crown66.5 mm“Case with Crown 66.5”
Case Thickness17.7 mm“Case Thickness 17.7”
Movement ModelModel 9“model 9”

Visible details

  • Openface white dial signed 'Rockford Watch Co.' below 12 o'clock.
  • Black Arabic hour numerals with sunken central section and recessed subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
  • Outer track featuring minute tick marks and red Arabic five-minute indicators.
  • Blued steel hands, with spade/pear hour hand and matching minute and small seconds hands.
  • Polished silver-tone circular metal case with top crown and bow, photographed suspended from a wooden stand.

Research qualifications

  • Movement details, serial number (840578), and display back are reported by the source but are not visible in the front dial photograph.
  • The wooden watch stand shown in the image is not included with the watch.

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

Consulted source

1910 ROCKFORD Watch Co. Pocket Watch 18s Grade 935 Lever Set 17 Jewels – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 75bcae0ee3

Terms in this record

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

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