Hi Folks,
I was just performing some research on a Rockford 16s 21J Grade 510 hunter. Just looking at the Rockford sales brochure and was surprised to see that that the Grade 500 & 505 was nearly twice the price of a grade 510 & 515. I can see some slight differences in adjustment (5 vs all positions (8?)) and the 500 & 505 had ruby pallets as well as maybe one or two other minor things, though I could not see how they could ask $100 for the 500 & 515 and $60 for the 510 & 515. Visually both movements are finished to be near identical, and their major features are all the same - finish, solid gold train, ruby jewels, balance wheel, dial etc. What are peoples thoughts there, worthwhile price difference?
The production figures of these grades in general show there were not many made of all these grades: a few hundred each of the 500 and 505? from what I can see and under 500 for at least the grade 510..and 1600 for the 515. So I guess price vs features restricted them in general overall...in comparison to other makers eg. Elgin and Waltham. They are great looking pieces though
If anyone has any exact production figures of these grades that would be good to know.
Looking on the Rockford database on the 149 site shows the piece I am researching shows up in a run of 515's instead of a 510 run SN: 546771
I was just performing some research on a Rockford 16s 21J Grade 510 hunter. Just looking at the Rockford sales brochure and was surprised to see that that the Grade 500 & 505 was nearly twice the price of a grade 510 & 515. I can see some slight differences in adjustment (5 vs all positions (8?)) and the 500 & 505 had ruby pallets as well as maybe one or two other minor things, though I could not see how they could ask $100 for the 500 & 515 and $60 for the 510 & 515. Visually both movements are finished to be near identical, and their major features are all the same - finish, solid gold train, ruby jewels, balance wheel, dial etc. What are peoples thoughts there, worthwhile price difference?
The production figures of these grades in general show there were not many made of all these grades: a few hundred each of the 500 and 505? from what I can see and under 500 for at least the grade 510..and 1600 for the 515. So I guess price vs features restricted them in general overall...in comparison to other makers eg. Elgin and Waltham. They are great looking pieces though
If anyone has any exact production figures of these grades that would be good to know.
Looking on the Rockford database on the 149 site shows the piece I am researching shows up in a run of 515's instead of a 510 run SN: 546771