South Bend grade 315 Military watch

[Fred Hansen]

I recently picked up an 18 size South Bend grade 315 in a nickel case marked "U.S. Shipping Board" on the rear. I believe Lyle Stratton's South Bend book mentions that these were the only military contract South Bend watches.

I'd be interested in any information on these and would enjoy seeing any examples out there. I'd be especially interested in any opinions on what the likely total production was and if there what variations there may be to the movements and dials.

Fred

[Fred Hansen]

Some pics ... movement serial 893124, case serial 962225, SS Roman dial ...

[Fred Hansen]

Two of these passed through a Jones-Horan auction a few years ago.

One of these had the same case and dial style, its movement serial number was 893713 and its case serial was 962077 ...

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm14_a.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm14_b.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm14_c.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm14_d.jpg

The other had the same case but a sunk-seconds Arabic dial, its movement serial number was 893148 and its case serial was 962190 ...

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm15_a.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm15_b.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm15_c.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm15_d.jpg

The movement and case serials of these three so far in this thread are fairly close to one another, and I'd definitely be interested in movement and case numbers of other examples to see how they compare.

Fred

[JTIBBS]

Fred

I have serial # 897130 in a US Shipping board case. Case is 962972

[JTIBBS]

Very poor pic, case number is hard to pic up

[JTIBBS]

South Bend also produced a 16 size model 219 that is found in US Shipping Board cases. Here is 840745 in a US Shipping Board swing out case. Both the 315 and 219 I have are Roman numeral dials.

[JTIBBS]

Back of case. I guess you can't unattach a photo here if you post the wrong one...sorry for the table