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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad grade pocket watch

South Bend 'The Studebaker' Grade 223 Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch is identified by the source as a South Bend 'The Studebaker' Grade 223, Model 2 timepiece dating to 1912. Sourced from the United States, it features a 16s manual-winding movement with 17 jewels and a lever-set mechanism, reportedly adjusted to six positions, temperature, and isochronism. The movement carries serial number 727372 and is housed in a 50.4 mm nickel case with a screw bezel and back. The white dial displays black Arabic hour markers, an outer five-minute track printed in red, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Dial and case view of the South Bend 'The Studebaker' pocket watch
Dial and case view of the South Bend 'The Studebaker' pocket watch — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad grade pocket watch
Maker / attribution
South Bend Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 223, Model 2
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-5878
Source-reported date
1912
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
727372

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

Direct visual inspection reveals a white dial featuring the cursive 'South Bend' signature located directly beneath the 12 o'clock position. The dial displays bold black Arabic hour numerals, paired with an outer chapter track that incorporates red five-minute markers.

Time is shown via blued steel spade-style hands alongside a matching blued sub-seconds hand situated within a subsidiary register at 6 o'clock. The seller describes the dial surface as white enamel, housed in an open-face casing configuration with a bow and crown placed at the 12 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial bearing the cursive 'South Bend' signature below 12 o'clock”
  • “Black Arabic numerals marking the hours with an outer chapter ring displaying red five-minute numerals”
  • “Blued steel spade-style hands and blued subsidiary seconds hand”
  • “The elegant white enamel dial features bold black Arabic numerals, a distinctive red minute track, and large blue steel hands for excellent legibility.”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

According to the seller's cataloging, the watch contains an original South Bend Watch Co. manual-wind mechanical movement designated as Studebaker Grade 223, Model 2, bearing serial number 727372. The movement is reported to be size 16s with 17 jewels and a lever-set configuration.

The seller states that the movement is railroad grade and adjusted to six positions, temperature, and isochronism, describing this as nine total adjustments. Additional production numbers reported by the vendor list a run quantity of 1,000 within a total grade or model production of 5,000 units. These movement details are seller-reported and are not visible in the front dial photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “caliber Studebaker grade 223, model 2, with 17 jewels, size 16s, and a lever-set configuration.”
  • “It is adjusted to six positions, temperature, and isochronism — for a total of nine adjustments.”
  • “Serial Number 727372”
  • “Run quantity: 1,000”
  • “Grade/Model total production: 5,000”

Casing and Physical Dimensions

The movement is housed in a polished nickel round case measuring 50.4 mm in diameter, expanding to 60.2 mm when including the crown, with a total thickness of 13.5 mm. Both the bezel and back are threaded screw-style components.

The vendor notes that the rear cover features exterior engraving and records the interior marking as 'Nickel - G852242'. Neither the case back markings nor the exterior engraving are visible in the provided front photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Measurements (mm) Case Size: 50.4 Case Diameter w/Crown: 60.2 Case Thickness: 13.5”
  • “Case Back Markings: Nickel - G852242”
  • “Back: Screw - Engraved”
  • “Bezel: Screw - Polished”

Open research questions

  • Does direct examination of the movement bridge confirm serial number 727372 and the stamped factory adjustments?
  • What specific decoration or text is featured on the engraved nickel screw case back?
  • Does removal of the screw bezel reveal the physical setting lever at the dial periphery as expected for a lever-set 16s movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for South Bend 'The Studebaker' Grade 223 Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
CaliberStudebaker Grade 223, Model 2“caliber Studebaker grade 223, model 2”
Movement Serial727372“Serial Number 727372”
Jewels and Setting17 Jewels, lever-set“with 17 jewels, size 16s, and a lever-set configuration”
Case Dimensions and Material50.4 mm nickel round case“housed in a 50.4 mm nickel round case”
Case Back MarkingsNickel - G852242“Case Back Markings: Nickel - G852242”
Case Thickness13.5 mm“Case Thickness: 13.5”
Case Diameter with Crown60.2 mm“Case Diameter w/Crown: 60.2”
Reported Production QuantitiesRun of 1,000; total grade/model production of 5,000“Run quantity: 1,000 Grade/Model total production: 5,000”

Visible details

  • White dial bearing the cursive 'South Bend' signature below 12 o'clock
  • Black Arabic numerals marking the hours with an outer chapter ring displaying red five-minute numerals
  • Blued steel spade-style hands and blued subsidiary seconds hand
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Polished nickel case with bow and crown at the 12 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber, jewel count, adjustments, and serial number are source-reported and not visible in the front photograph
  • Case back engraving and internal markings are not visible in the provided image view

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

Consulted source

South Bend “The Studebaker” 1912 Railroad Grade Pocket Watch – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 10fe655ecf

Terms in this record

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

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