18s 17J South Bend The Studebaker 323 display cased pocket watch c1908

This is an American Railroad grade pocket watch made by South Bend.

This is the rare 18s 17J Studebaker 323 grade with a total production run of 4000.

This watch comes in a glass backed case. Going back a 100 years ago, salesmen from the watch companies would visit shops to show the latest models and rather house them in cases, where the back would have to be removed, they used these cases which had a snap on back with a glass back so the dial and movement were visible. Shops and prospective owners, would select the dial, movement and then the case they wanted for their watch.

Movement – the high quality nickel full plate movement has a micrometer regulator, screw set gold jewel settings and is decorated with fine cross hatch damascening. The movement is signed “South Bend Watch Co, Trade Mark, The Studebaker, 323, South Bend, Ind, 17 Jewels, Adjusted to Temp and 5 positions” # 533739. The movement is in 95% mint condition – some fading to parts of the signature

Case – the movement comes in a metal open face case, which has a glass back and front with screw off bezels. The case has a smooth plain finish and is in 90% mint condition

Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands. The dial is signed “South Bend”. The dial is in 80% mint condition - it has a forked hairline running from the 1 to the sub seconds and one the edge around the 10-11. The dial has been restored to protect these faults so no hairlines are breaking through the enamel. The downside to this restoration is the slightly off signature

The watch is stem wound / lever set

The watch measures 59mm wide x 21mm deep

The watch has a mineral glass back and front