Rockford 18S 17J lever set (LS) adj. grade 925 pocket watch #862231, incredible nickel 2-tone full plate movement with screw-down jewel settings and a gold flashed movement that has the silver-tone nickel engraving creating the elaborate concentric circle damascene pattern, single sunk (SS) porcelain enamel dial with a black imitation double sunk line, extra fancy Arabic-style numbers, red 5 minute markers and a black-marked subsidiary seconds register has a small expert repair near the 4, blue steel spade style hands, impressive 3oz Sterling Silver swing-out case with a smooth polish finish accented with a large gold-inlay of a steam locomotive on engraved railroad tracks, coin-edge engraving around the thick glass crystal, gold flashed inner bezel ring, extra heavy large bow and a brass crown with a yellow gold filled (YGF) pendant ring, case is showing normal even wear overall however there is notable smoothing to the locomotive and front bezel engraving along with some shallow dents along the lower back and frame, measures approx. 58mm in diameter x 87mm in length x 20mm thick (crystal included). This is a heavy and impressive vintage Rockford from the early 1900s, a little worn from years of use but still a beauty in excellent overall condition!
- Year Made: 1911-1912
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Company:
Rockford
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Movement Size:
0318S
- Jewels: 1117J
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Setting/Movement Type:
lever set
- Adjustments: 1-3 positions
- Model/Grade: 925
- Serial #: 862231
- Movement Finish: 2-tone
- Movement Details: screw-down jewel settings
- Dial Material: porcelain enamel
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Dial Details:
imitation double sunk (DS) accent line, fancy Arabic numbers
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Hand Style:
spade
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Case Style:
swing-out
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Case Material:
Solid Gold - Yellow, Silver - Sterling/Solid, Gold Filled - Yellow
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Case Details:
extra-thick glass crystal, decorative gold-inlay, gold flashed bezel ring, YGF pendant ring
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Case Width/Diameter:
58mm (2.28 inches)
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Case Length, bow included:
87mm (3.43 inches)
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Case Thickness:
20mm (0.79 inches)
- Crystal Material: glass
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Condition:
Excellent
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Gender:
Gentlemen's
The Rockford Watch Company, located in Rockford, Illinois, was in business from 1873 until 1915 and produced approximately one million watches. Rockford produced a wide range of watch grades, including some very desirable high- and/or railroad-grade watches including a number of 24J, 25J and 26J models. Rockford also set themselves apart from other watch companies with the numerous variations of detailed movement damascene finishing options they offered.
As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for Rockford serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company.
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of October 8th, 2025, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
This watch comes complete with an appropriate, intact glass crystal; however, on request PM Time Service can replace the current crystal on this pocket watch for you. We offer a number of new and vintage crystal choices for pocket watches; you can select your desired choice from the dropdown menu below.
Please note that the average turnaround time for all pocket watch crystal replacements will be two days from the placement of the order.
Contact us with any further questions or for an estimate on any shipping delays.
Please note: if you add this watch with a crystal and/or band exchange option to your
shopping cart but later change your mind on the crystal and/or band selection type, you'll need to remove the watch from the cart in order to make a new selection. Once that is done, you can return to this page and add that new crystal and/or band combination to the cart. We apologize for the limitations to our system that prevent you from making that change within the shopping cart.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.