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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

South Bend 'The Studebaker' Model 323 open face pocket watch

Partially verified

This antique American open-face pocket watch by the South Bend Watch Company is catalogued as grade 323, model 2, 'The Studebaker', dating to circa 1908. Source reports it houses an 18-size, 17-jewel nickel full-plate movement adjusted to temperature and five positions, equipped with a lever escapement, micrometer regulator, and screwed jewel settings under movement number 533025. The movement is fitted in a silver alloy open-face swing-out case measuring 57 mm in diameter by 20 mm deep with a mineral glass crystal. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position.

Front view of the open face pocket watch showing the white dial, hands, and silver alloy case
Front view of the open face pocket watch showing the white dial, hands, and silver alloy case — Atlam Watches. 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
323
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA39 (AB-183973)
Source-reported date
c1908
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
533025

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 Hands

The pocket watch features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic ten-second increments. While the dealer listing text states that the dial is signed 'Studebaker', the dial in the visible record is marked 'South Bend' in script beneath the 12 o'clock numeral.

The dealer reports that the watch has blue steel hands, but notes they are mismatched, adding that 'the minute hand looks like a replacement'. Dial-side mechanical interference is noted in the listing, specifically that 'the hour hand snags on the seconds hand'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial marked 'South Bend' in script under the 12 o'clock numeral.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second increments.”
  • “The dial is signed “Studebaker”.”
  • “the minute hand looks like a replacement”
  • “The hands are mismatched and the hour hand snags on the seconds hand”

Case and Setting Mechanism

The watch is housed in an open-face silver alloy case measuring 57 mm wide by 20 mm deep, fitted with a mineral glass crystal. Externally, visible observations record a fluted gold-toned winding crown mounted within a circular metal bow and coin-edge reeding along the outer rim of the bezel, while the dealer reports a smooth plain finish.

Internal case access is configured with a screw-off bezel where 'the movement swings out from the front', though the seller notes this is stiff and requires a tool to lever open. Operationally, the piece is stem wound and lever set; the seller notes that the lever is very stiff to pull out and that 'the winder commonly comes out fully when you pull on it to retract and release'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case – the movement comes in a silver alloy open face case, which has a screw off bezel ad the movement swings out from the front”
  • “The watch measures 57mm wide x 20mm deep”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”
  • “Fluted gold-toned winding crown mounted within a circular metal bow.”
  • “Coin-edge reeding along the outer rim of the bezel.”
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “the winder commonly comes out fully when you pull on it to retract and release”

Source-Reported Movement Details

Because internal movement components are not depicted in the provided photograph, all mechanical specifications remain source-reported. The dealer lists the movement as an 18-size, 17-jewel Model 2 nickel full-plate movement equipped with a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, and gold jewel screw settings.

The movement is reported to be signed 'The Studebaker, 323, South Bend Watch Co, South Bend, Ind, 17 Jewels, Adjust to Temp & 5 positions' under serial number 533025. The seller characterizes this as an American railroad grade watch and reports a total production run of 4,000.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement – the top quality model 2, nickel full plate movement has a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator and gold jewel screw settings.”
  • “The movement is signed “The Studebaker, 323, South Bend Watch Co, South Bend, Ind, 17 Jewels, Adjust to Temp & 5 positions” # 533025.”
  • “This is a rare American Railroad grade pocket watch by South Bend which had a total production run of 4000.”

Open research questions

  • Why does the seller description claim the dial is signed 'Studebaker' when the photograph shows 'South Bend' in script?
  • Can direct examination of movement 533025 verify the reported Grade 323 signature, 17 jewels, and 5-position adjustments?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for South Bend 'The Studebaker' Model 323 open face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade and ModelModel 2, grade 323“Movement – the top quality model 2, nickel full plate movement”
Movement Serial Number533025“Adjust to Temp & 5 positions” # 533025”
Jewel Count17 Jewels“17 Jewels, Adjust to Temp & 5 positions”
Case MaterialSilver alloy“Case – the movement comes in a silver alloy open face case”
Case Dimensions57mm wide x 20mm deep“The watch measures 57mm wide x 20mm deep”
Winding and SettingStem wound and lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Case ConstructionScrew-off bezel with front swing-out movement“has a screw off bezel ad the movement swings out from the front”
Reported Movement Jewels17 Jewels“17 Jewels, Adjust to Temp & 5 positions”
Reported Production Run4,000“which had a total production run of 4000”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial marked 'South Bend' in script under the 12 o'clock numeral.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second increments.
  • Fluted gold-toned winding crown mounted within a circular metal bow.
  • Coin-edge reeding along the outer rim of the bezel.

Research qualifications

  • The dealer listing describes the dial as signed 'Studebaker', but the dial in the photograph is clearly signed 'South Bend'.
  • Seller notes the hands are mismatched, the minute hand appears to be a replacement, and the hour hand snags on the seconds hand.
  • The internal movement is not depicted in the provided photograph; movement details are source-reported.

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

Consulted source

18s 17J South Bend The Studebaker 323 pocket watch c1908 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 412c99379e

Terms in this record

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

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