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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

South Bend Studebaker 16s 21-jewel pocket watch, circa 1926

Partially verified

This open face pocket watch by the South Bend Watch Co. is marked Studebaker and dates according to the seller to circa 1926. The 16-size timepiece is equipped with a model 2 nickel three-finger bridge movement featuring 21 jewels, eight adjustments, a lever escapement, and a micrometer regulator. Housed in a gold-plated case measuring 50 mm wide by 13 mm deep with carved edges, engine turning, and mineral glass, the watch displays a double-sunk champagne-coloured silvered dial signed 'South Bend'. It features black Arabic numerals, outer red five-minute markers, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the South Bend Studebaker 16s pocket watch showing the double-sunk dial, blued hands, and engraved bezel
Front view of the South Bend Studebaker 16s pocket watch showing the double-sunk dial, blued hands, and engraved bezel — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
South Bend Watch Co.
Reference
Model 2
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-186603
Source-reported date
c. 1926
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
1162931

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 pocket watch displays a silvered dial described by the dealer as having a champagne colour and a double-sunk layout. Direct visual observation confirms a recessed central section along with an inset subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. The hour track is indicated by black Arabic numerals, framed by an outer ring of red Arabic numerals marking five-minute intervals.

Time is shown with blued steel spade hands and a small subsidiary seconds hand. Beneath the 12 o'clock marker, the dial is signed 'SOUTH BEND'. The watch is fitted with mineral glass and set within an open-face bezel with carved leaf-pattern relief, topped by a fluted crown and rectangular bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial – the silvered dial has a champagne colour and is double sunk.”
  • “Double-sunk dial layout with sunken central section and recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock”
  • “Dial signed 'SOUTH BEND' beneath 12 o'clock”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”

Reported Movement and Technical Specification

The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided catalogue photograph, and technical specifications rely entirely on dealer documentation. The seller describes it as a nickel 3-finger bridge Model 2 movement equipped with a lever escapement and a micrometer regulator. Operating via stem wind and stem set, the movement is reported to be signed 'Studebaker, South Bend Watch Co, USA 21 Jewels, 8 Adjustments' with serial number 1162931.

The listing dates the watch to circa 1926 and notes that this model is marked 'Studebaker'. The dealer assesses the movement condition as '85% mint condition', reporting marks on the winding wheel and light scratches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement – the top quality model 2, nickel 3 finger bridge movement has a lever escapement and a micrometer regulator”
  • “The movement is signed “Studebaker, South Bend Watch Co, USA 21 Jewels, 8 Adjustments” #1162931.”
  • “16s 21J South Bend Studebaker pocket watch c1926”
  • “The movement is in 85% mint condition – marks on the winding wheel and light scratches”
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”

Case Construction and Observed Limitations

The movement is housed in a gold-plated open-face case measuring 50 mm wide by 13 mm deep, featuring a screw-on bezel and back. The seller reports decorative carved edges and engine turning on the case.

Direct observation is limited because the reverse of the case is not depicted. Dealer condition notes state that the case shows wear, including a ring of base metal emerging through the gold plating on the back, rubbing to the engine turning, and hand-engraved marks on the inner cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case – the movement comes in a gold plated open face case, which has a screw on back and bezel.”
  • “The watch measures 50mm wide x 13mm deep”
  • “The case is decorated with carved edges and engine turning.”
  • “The case is in 85% mint condition – a ring of metal coming through the plating on the back. rubbing to the engine turning and hand engraved marks on the inner cover”

Open research questions

  • What specific case maker hallmarks or purity stamps are present inside the screw-on back cover?
  • Does South Bend factory documentation substantiate the circa 1926 production year for movement serial number 1162931?
  • What text or symbols comprise the hand-engraved marks noted on the inner cover?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for South Bend Studebaker 16s 21-jewel pocket watch, circa 1926
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and model signatureStudebaker, South Bend Watch Co, USA 21 Jewels, 8 Adjustments“The movement is signed “Studebaker, South Bend Watch Co, USA 21 Jewels, 8 Adjustments””
Movement serial number1162931“#1162931”
Movement designModel 2, nickel 3 finger bridge movement“the top quality model 2, nickel 3 finger bridge movement has a lever escapement and a micrometer regulator”
Case constructionGold plated open face case with screw on back and bezel“the movement comes in a gold plated open face case, which has a screw on back and bezel.”
Dimensions50mm wide x 13mm deep“The watch measures 50mm wide x 13mm deep”
Inventory code4.103 (AB-186603)“Code 4.103 (AB-186603)”
Winding and setting mechanismStem wound / stem set“The watch is stem wound / stem set”
Crystal materialMineral glass“The watch has a mineral glass”
Dealer case condition notes85% mint condition; ring of metal showing through plating on back, rubbed engine turning, hand-engraved marks on inner cover“The case is in 85% mint condition – a ring of metal coming through the plating on the back. rubbing to the engine turning and hand engraved marks on the inner cover”

Visible details

  • Rectangular bow above a fluted winding crown at 12 o'clock
  • Carved leaf-patterned relief on the outer front bezel
  • Double-sunk dial layout with sunken central section and recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Black Arabic hour numerals accompanied by red outer Arabic five-minute indicators
  • Blued steel spade hands with small seconds hand at 6 o'clock
  • Dial signed 'SOUTH BEND' beneath 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back are not visible in the provided image; their descriptions and serial number rely on seller documentation.

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

Consulted source

16s 21J South Bend Studebaker pocket watch c1926 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1f2f447d5b

Terms in this record

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

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