Studebaker?

I have a Watch made by the Southbend watch Co. serial#1106268 Doses the word Studebaker have anything to do with the car? Thats whats on the front dial and also on the movement.. Its 21 Jewels and it says Adjustm'ts 8 never heard of 8. what do you guys think?

James

[RON in PA]

The South Bend watch company was owned by members of the same Studebaker family that manufactured cars. In 1902 the Columbus watch company was bought out by several Studebaker brothers and was moved from Ohio to Indiana. The company lasted until 1929 when it was killed by the Depression.

Which model do you have? The model number should be on the back plate.

This should take you to a page devoted to South Bend watches.http://southbendhorology.com/

There is no model number on the movement..I'm putting up a pic of it..
hope that helps..

[RON in PA]

Go to the chapter 149 web site and punch in your s/n for some info. Briefly you have a size 12 model 1 watch made around 1925. The style of the case and the size indicates that it was meant to be a gentleman's dress watch.

[Kent]

James:

Basic information about a South Bend watch may be obtained online using Henry Burgell's Interactive South Bend Serial Number Lookup Table. Since some of these serial numbers are based upon a "recreated serial number list, there may be occasional errors. Also, Frank Kusumoto's excellent South Bend Website has a ton of good documentation on the company's watches. Also, a wealth of information on South Bend watches is available in the book “The South Bend Watch Co. - South Bend, Indiana - A Complete Listing of Serial / Grade Numbers from Beginning to End," Lyle & Donna Stratton, Longmont, CO, 1999. It contains detailed production data, serial number vs grade lists and date information.

Good luck,

[rschussel]

There were 60,000 12 size 21j Studebakers made in a total of ten runs.The Studebaker is the most common 12 size South Bend due to it being produced in higher numbers than any other 12 size grade. All of the 12 size Studebakers have serial numbers above 1,000,000. The earlier 21j grade 431 was of higher quality.

Beginning in 1923 the click springs in the 12 size South Bends were changed from being one piece to a two piece circular click and spring for improved reliability.

Twelve(12) size South Bends made after 1921 (serial numbers above 1,000,000 were not as well made as those from earlier production.I am not totally sure but I think around 1921 was when the South Bend Watch Company started to market their watches through mail order. As finanical problems grew the quality declined.

Bob Schussel