South Bend Watches

[StudHawk60]

I have about 20. Ranging from 1906-1928. All but 2 run.

[2moredoors]

Here is a web page with a brief history of the watches and serial number list to determine age.

http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/southbend.html

I do have one question though. I gather from the website that the "Studebaker" watches were not made available until the 1920's or am I misreading the page?

[2R5]

I've had a couple guys inquire about the South Bend watch sign I have
I should mention it came off the jewellry store in New Paris In. which is south east of South bend . I was told by the store owner that he took it down in the 50's to save it , there was 2 of them , one was on the west side of the building and it was not in good shape , this one was on the protected side so it stood the wrath of time I guess.

[rockinhawk]

According to the above website, mine is a 1909 vintage. Matthew, when you go see George, will you take mine back to him? It has a loose screw, and gains 5 min. per da

Also I thought they made wrist watches. I know I have seen wrist watches with the SB name on them and also the Studebaker name????

[Mike Van Veghten]

I also have a small collection of South Bend and Studebaker watches, along with other brand name pocket watches.
I even had two custom dials (the same) made with a fine line drawing of my hot rod Lark wagon on the face.
I have four or five 12's, about fifteen 16's, and one 18 (watch sizes).
I'd really like to get one of the really high end South Bend/Stude watches (229 grade), but spending over $1000.00 bothers me..! I have the range from a grade 206 to the 227. The 227's were actually (among a couple others) others, are "Rail Road" grade watches. They are of a higher clsssifcation of watch for all brands that can be carried for use by a train engineer and or conductor.

Most need servicing right now, but I always have a few that work well and carry one with me everyday. I've never cared much for having a watch on my wrist. My grandfather gave me a pocket watch in my later highschool years, and I've carried one much of the time ever since.

Mike

P.s. - Rocken - Yes, a few South Bend wrist watches were made. They are hard to come by and for some reason, don't command the same money as a higher grade (even the 227) pocket watch. Never figured out why. This info is just e-Bay info...what I've noticed there.

[mbstude]

According to the above website, mine is a 1909 vintage. Matthew, when you go see George, will you take mine back to him? It has a loose screw, and gains 5 min. per da

Also I thought they made wrist watches. I know I have seen wrist watches with the SB name on them and also the Studebaker name????

I'd be glad to. And yes, there were Studebaker wrist watches. Tom had one and I wore it at his funeral to deliver his Eulogy. I think I showed it to you then.

[LStratton]

Lot's of incorrect info in this tread.

I have been collecting and researching The South Bend Watch Co. for over 35 years. I have more data than anybody in the world. I and my wife published a book on South Bends in 1998 that sold out within 2 months. I have since then got a new revised edition ready to go but have decided not to publish it for various reasons. I do know the South Bend Watch Co.

Matthew....If your watch is a grade 229 it is bordering on being a frankenwatch. Although a nice looking watch it is totally incorrect. The dial should be a double sunk glass enamel that reads South Bend. The short pendant case appears to be a NAWCO and is about 15-20 years later than the watch. Let's hope the movement has not been screwed with but with the history who knows without having it in hand. In it's present configuration it certainly is not a very desireable watch. If your watch was one of the 8 adjustment mail order Studebakers it could pass as correct in this configuration.

The South Bend Watch Co. NEVER made a wrist watch. The ones that keep showing up are nothing but ladies 0s movements recased in 0s wrist watch cases and most of these cases are from the 20's and 30's.

They NEVER made a Studebaker wrist watch either. In the mid 20's they did advertise a strap watch with Studebaker on the dial but it was SWISS made and had nothing to do with the South Bend Watch Co. If you have a South Bend made wrist watch with Studebaker on the dial it is a fraud. I know of 2 people who are putting out these fake, phony dials and calling them original NOS. Anything for the dollar.

I say before you pay the rediculous prices asked by some people who cater to SDC DO A LITTLE RESEARCH. I also agree that if you want a South Bend watch serviced and want it done correctly there is than better than Fred Fox.

These are just the facts....like it or not

[mbstude]

In the mid 20's they did advertise a strap watch with Studebaker on the dial but it was SWISS made and had nothing to do with the South Bend Watch Co.

I believe that's the one Tom had. Thanks for jarring my memory. And thank you for the great information, that's the stuff I was after.

[Studebaker Wheel]

Actually the Studebaker and South Bend watches (1903-1929) are quite common since they were quality made by the tens of thousands and hardly anyone threw them away, I have maybe 4 or 5. On the other hand the Lark watches of the early '60s were lower production and as a result much more scarce. Above samples of both the mens and womens. They were very cheaply made and often used by dealers as a inexpensive give away to preferred customers.

[mbstude]

Mr. Quinn, would you like another Lark ladies watch in the case?

[Studebaker Wheel]

Mr. Quinn, would you like another Lark ladies watch in the case?

Sure you can never have too many!

[StudHawk60]

Has anybody here actually seen a 1929 SB or Studebaker watch? (S/N 1,240,000 and up). I know they were produced until the end of '29, but all my years of searching for one, the closest I could find was a '28...........I bought it anyway.

[wolfie]

Has anybody here actually seen a 1929 SB or Studebaker watch? (S/N 1,240,000 and up). I know they were produced until the end of '29, but all my years of searching for one, the closest I could find was a '28...........I bought it anyway.

I recently sold a South Bend that dated 1929 on the website I used to date them. Sorry, I dont remember the seriel number but it was a size 16 watch with 17 jewels. It also had a Studebaker dial but was not marked Studebaker on the works. I guessed the dial was a replacement. Steve

[mbstude]

I just found out some more history of my watch. I mentioned that Carroll Studebaker owned my 229. The reason the dial is incorrect, is that Carroll had custom dials made for a select few of his watches and wanted the dial to say Studebaker. That said, I'm not having anything changed on mine. Some things mean more than authenticity.

[LStratton]

I knew Carroll Studebaker and had quite a few dealings with him and wound up with several items from his estate sale. (I was an SDC member for 33 years 1968-2001) I never considered anything from him to have a history or to be enhanced in anyway. They are no different than the 8 South Bend watches I bought from old Sam Isabel in Butte, Mt. at about the same time. I am a stickler on authenticity. To each his own.