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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

South Bend Grade 207 Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch was produced by the South Bend Watch Company of Indiana and is dated circa 1912 by the seller. Built in size 16, the timepiece is housed in a yellow gold-filled case featuring a finely textured bezel and decorative reverse. The seller states the watch is powered by a 15-jewel Grade 207 movement bearing serial number 723088. Its fancy porcelain dial exhibits a light blue central area, black Arabic hour numerals, gilt decorative minute accents, slender hands, and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the South Bend open-face pocket watch showing the fancy porcelain dial and gold-filled case
Front view of the South Bend open-face pocket watch showing the fancy porcelain dial and gold-filled case — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
South Bend Watch Company
Reference
Grade 207
Catalogue / lot identifier
TKAR 114
Source-reported date
Circa 1912
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
723088

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

Case and Exterior Construction

The timepiece is a size 16 open-face pocket watch housed in a 20-year gold-filled case. The exterior features a finely textured bezel and a decorative reverse side, which includes a center crest.

The watch is operated by a fluted crown and features a rounded stirrup-style bow at the 12 o'clock position. The current mechanical integrity of the case remains unverified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Size 16 open-face pocket watch featuring a 20-year gold-filled case”
  • “finely textured bezel and decorative reverse”
  • “A center crest on the reverse would allow for personalization.”
  • “Fluted crown and rounded stirrup-style bow at 12 o'clock”

Dial Characteristics

The watch features a white porcelain dial marked with black Arabic numerals and gilt decorative minute markers. A faint light-blue circular center is present, and the dial is signed 'South Bend' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position.

Time is tracked via spade hands and a subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock. The sub-seconds dial contains Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.

Evidence for this section
  • “fancy porcelain dial with a subtle blue center, Arabic numerals, decorative minute markers, spade hands, and a seconds subsidiary dial”
  • “Dial signed 'South Bend' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position”
  • “Sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals”

Movement and Attribution

The movement is identified by the seller as a 15-jewel Grade 207, manufactured by the South Bend Watch Company of Indiana. The movement bears the serial number 723088, dated circa 1912.

The seller reports that the movement has undergone a full restoration. The specific internal condition of the movement and its components are not independently verified in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “15 jewel Grade 207 movement”
  • “Serial Number 723088”
  • “Circa 1912”

Open research questions

  • Does serial number 723088 correspond to official South Bend production records for the year 1912?
  • What are the specific technical details regarding the dealer-reported 'full restoration'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for South Bend Grade 207 Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement GradeGrade 207“15 jewel Grade 207 movement”
Serial Number723088“Serial Number 723088”
SizeSize 16“Size 16 open-face pocket watch”
Case Material20-Year Gold Filled“20-year gold-filled case”
DateCirca 1912“Circa 1912”
ManufacturerSouth Bend Watch Company“crafted by the South Bend Watch Company of Indiana”

Visible details

  • White porcelain dial with a faint light-blue circular center and gilt floral or star minute markers
  • Dial signed 'South Bend' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position
  • Sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals
  • Fluted crown and rounded stirrup-style bow at 12 o'clock
  • Textured, engine-turned pattern along the front bezel ring

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back markings are not visible in the provided photograph and rely on seller documentation
  • Full restoration and warranty claims are reported by the dealer without independent technical documentation

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

Consulted source

American Open Face Pocket Watch by South Bend - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 12b693e2a4

Terms in this record

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

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