Seth Thomas Private Label Research

[Dave Coatsworth]

Please post your Seth Thomas private label watches in this thread. When posting, please include photos whenever possible (obeying copyright law, of course). For the description, please provide the serial number, model and grade information, and any information you have obtained about the retailer who's name appears on the watch. The more information, the better. We would like to make this more than just a list. It will, hopefully, become a prime resource for private label research. Thanks in advance to all who contribute!

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

Eric Unselt maintains a database of Seth Thomas private labels at this site: Seth Thomas Watches. (Scroll almost to the end. But, there's a lot of interesting information in between!)

 

[kevin h]

Dave , I have one to show ! 285933 P/Label for Schrieber

 

[luvsthetick]

In 1900 the U.S. Census reported Cuba, N.Y. had less than 2,400 residents, yet this small town had two jewelers order and sell Seth Thomas private label watches made within a few years of each other. I have previously shown both of these but think they are worthy of another posting. Both are 17 jewel model 5's and marked adjusted, I think they are both grade 182.



Both have private label dials.



In doing research on these watches I was able to find a picture postcard of the C.H. Gros store. The card was postmarked in Cuba in 1901.



As late as April, 2016 the building where Gros had his establishment was still in existence even though the numeric address has changed from 8 W. Main to 13 W. Main.

 

[kevin h]

The model 5's are really beautiful , that was the height of damaskeening

 

[luvsthetick]

The model 5's are really beautiful , that was the height of damaskeening

Agree 100%.

 

[artbissell]

Here an 18 size with original custom dial and 1970+ glass back case. Model 2? artbissell

 

[rrwatch]

Dave , I have one to show ! 285933 P/Label for Schrieber

View attachment 472858 View attachment 472859

Kevin,
I'm not sure that this is the correct balance cock.
First, the damaskeen doesn't seem to match the other plates, and
second, there doesn't appear to be any trace of a micrometer regulator ever being affixed to the cock. The adjoining serial numbers in our database (we have both 285932 and 285934) both have the "short arm" micrometer regulator.
You might want to pull the balance and see if the numbers stamped underneath the cock match.
Also, is the movement pendant or lever set?
Please let us know.

 

[rrwatch]

Here an 18 size with original custom dial and 1970+ glass back case. Model 2? artbissell

View attachment 473286 View attachment 473287

Yes, this is a Model 2, all were hunting movements.
Is the movement pendant or lever set?

 

[luvsthetick]

A model 2 serial #513511.



Also posted in this thread with some history (provided by richiec) about Watson L. Wentworth.

Private Label Research

 

[kevin h]

Ed , 285933 is pendant set , at to the other I will let you know

edit: the serial matches , fully stamped , it is missing the regulator , the holes are there . now I can sleep , I don't feel a mix-matched balance cock matters , but in the real world it does -by 50% of the value

 

[rrwatch]

Ed , 285933 is pendant set , at to the other I will let you know

edit: the serial matches , fully stamped , it is missing the regulator , the holes are there . now I can sleep , I don't feel a mix-matched balance cock matters , but in the real world it does -by 50% of the value

Glad to here that all the numbers match, I just couldn't see the mounting holes in the photo. Micrometer Seth Thomas parts can be a little hard to locate, but they can be found.

 

[artbissell]

rrwatch Earle model 2 is lever set. Art

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

209394 - 'Henry Reis, Davenport, Iowa'

 

[4thdimension]

92290- J.M. Bigwood Terre Haute, Ind. signed dial and mv't model 2. 546635- BHA Garden City. no dial model 3. 717767- Montgomery Ward Co Chicago "20th Century" two tone no dial. 748340- Mongomery Ward Co Chicago "20th Century two tone dial says 20th Century.

 

[shabro]

I think this is a bit of a low grade private label Seth Thomas.
It is a Lever brothers of New York , serial number 140747.... that's all I know about it apart from it came in a job lot of pocket watches I bought, unfortunately the dial is badly cracked.

 

[hawk613]

Please post your Seth Thomas private label watches in this thread. When posting, please include photos whenever possible (obeying copyright law, of course). For the description, please provide the serial number, model and grade information, and any information you have obtained about the retailer who's name appears on the watch. The more information, the better. We would like to make this more than just a list. It will, hopefully, become a prime resource for private label research. Thanks in advance to all who contribute!

Hi Dave ! I just posted for the first time a couple of days ago so I'm not too good at things yet. Still Learning. I came across this thread and thought I could help with some pics of my Seth Thomas private label. I think it is all original. It's another Earle label with the serial 76746. Has the Earle dial in good shape. It's obviously a model 2 but I don't know how to tell the grade...sorry .

 

[hawk613]

I forgot to mention that it looks like a 15 jewel but I haven't had it apart to confirm. Pocket watch database says it s 15 jewel and lists it as a grade 71. Also ...it is lever set.

 

[hawk613]

Yes, this is a Model 2, all were hunting movements.
Is the movement pendant or lever set?

I have 3 or 4 Model 2's that are of course hunting .....but I didn't know that all model 2's were. Thanks for the info. Nice to learn new things and I have a lot of learning to do lol.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

For most of the companies Model 1 = KW, Model 2 = Hunting and Model 3 = Open face.

 

[hawk613]

For most of the companies Model 1 = KW, Model 2 = Hunting and Model 3 = Open face.

Never knew that either......thank you ! I feel like a dummy now lol.

 

[NC Plumber]

Have a P.L. Seth Thomas. Serial number 206781, 18s, lever set, gilt , Model 5, Grade 59. C.H. Richardson - Lebanon, N.H.

 

[Lee Passarella]

C. K. McCain, Kokomo, Indiana. Notices for the jeweler run from the 1870s to 1923, and Seth Thomas must have sold him a number of watches. Kind folks in the Forum helped me identify it as a Grade 168, Model 5, circa 1890.

 

[rrwatch]

For most of the companies Model 1 = KW, Model 2 = Hunting and Model 3 = Open face.

To add to Tom's information, all Model 5's (SN 200,001 to 352,000) are full plate, open face. There is no corresponding hunting model.

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Here is my Seth Thomas private label Model #6 , Grade #36, 7 jewel , serial #551975 Eagle .I Just finished cleaning the movement, and replaced the mainspring.This old 7jewel keeps perfect time now. The name on the dial is " E.G. Squiers "

 

[luvsthetick]

Seth Thomas model 6 (open face) & 7 (hunting) with an eagle engraved on the movement are interesting. Eagles that Seth Thomas used vary in size and stance. Movement markings also vary.

Here is my model 7 with a private label dial and a different small eagle from the eagle on Tim's movement. Notice my movement does not have the Seth Thomas name. My dial is for A. Eichler.

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Very nice luvshetic
I really like these Seth Thomas 18s

 

[luvsthetick]

I really like these Seth Thomas 18s

I agree.
Always glad to see another saved and cared for.

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

C. K. McCain, Kokomo, Indiana. Notices for the jeweler run from the 1870s to 1923, and Seth Thomas must have sold him a number of watches. Kind folks in the Forum helped me identify it as a Grade 168, Model 5, circa 1890.

View attachment 525443 View attachment 525444

Can you post a better photo please? I believe there is no grade#168 Seth Thomas.
Thanks

 

[luvsthetick]

I believe there is no grade#168 Seth Thomas.

You are right. If Lee's watch is a pendant set movement it is a grade 169. and if it is lever set it is a grade 189

I do not see the word adjusted on the movement.

 

[Lee Passarella]

You are right. If Lee's watch is a pendant set movement it is a grade 169. and if it is lever set it is a grade 189

I do not see the word adjusted on the movement.

Sorry. That earlier post must have been entered by my evil twin. I don't know where he got Grade 168. It is Grade 189, as luvsthetick suggests. Photos below.

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

https://seththomasresearch.com/I think the go to place for Seth Thomas research is " American Timekeeper" he has everything I need to get the answers to my Seth Thomas watch information.

 

[Joe Blossic]

I was able to finally find one that Eric Unselt Research Site (https://seththomasresearch.com/watches) did not have because it was listed as a "W. E. Cross" watch instead of a Seth Thomas M2! The good folks at the NY Montgomery County Department of History and Archives were able to come through with a lot of history of Mr. Cross (attached PDF file) but also a picture of his store, which through the magic of Google Maps, I was able to get a modern day shot of same.