South Bend 12S 19J adj. 4p grade 429 pocket watch #899801, attractive nickel bridge plate movement with raised screw-down jewel settings and a bar-style damascene pattern, unusual silver double sunk (DS) metal dial with a matte finish on the interior section and subsidiary seconds register, and a bright polished finish under the fancy black art-deco style Arabic numbers giving the dial a pseudo 2-tone effect, dial does have a few small spots of discoloration but no heavy scratches or other damage, blue steel Breguet moon-style hands, thin-model yellow base metal (YBM) smooth polish screw back & bezel (SB&B) case with an engraving across the center of a spread wing eagle with arrows and laurels in its talons over a red, white and blue enamel FOE (
Fraternal Order of Eagles) emblem and a fancy bow, case is showing normal even wear overall with a few small spots of brass on the bow and frame along with some damage to the enamel of the emblem, measures approx. 45mm in diameter x 57mm in length x 11mm thick (crystal included). A high quality and attractive watch from the early 1900s in excellent overall condition!
- Year Made: 1918-1919
-
Company:
South Bend
-
Movement Size:
0712S
- Jewels: 0919J
-
Setting/Movement Type:
pendant set
- Adjustments: 4 positions
- Model/Grade: 429
- Serial #: 899801
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Movement Details: bridge layout
- Dial Material: metal
- Dial Color: silver
-
Dial Details:
double sunk (DS), art-deco style numbers
-
Hand Style:
moon - Breguet
-
Case Style:
SB&B
-
Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow, Enamel
-
Case Details:
thin model, FOE emblem
-
Case Width/Diameter:
45mm (1.77 inches)
-
Case Length, bow included:
57mm (2.24 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
11mm (0.43 inches)
- Crystal Material: plastic
- Misc. Info: Fraternal Order of Eagles
-
Condition:
Excellent
-
Gender:
Unisex
The South Bend Watch Company was in business from 1902 until 1929. Originally the
Columbus Watch Co.out of Columbus, Ohio, the company was purchased by members of the
Studebaker family in 1902 and was moved to South Bend, Indiana. The watches produced under the South Bend name started their serial numbers after the end of the Columbus numbers, 380,500, and the company produced approximately 900,000 watches before it succumbed to the downturn of the Depression and closed in 1929.
As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for South Bend serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company; additional information may also be found on
Wikipedia.
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 22nd, 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.
With the notable exception of the Masonic watches produced by the Dudley Watch Company (1920-1925), the Mason, Knights of Columbus and other logos would have been commissioned through a professional dial company after they left the factory to have the logo applied. For instance, all the members of a particular chapter may have received a specific watch when they were initiated or may have elected to have an emblem added to their own personal watch to commemorate an important date or milestone.
If you are interested in this watch without the current advertising dial, please
drop us a note. On wrist watches, we can give you a quote on what the current charge to re-finish the dial would be (typically it will run $35 to $75 depending on the dial style). On American-make pocket watches, we may have a replacement dial in stock and could exchange the current dial with an unmarked dial for a small fee. Most European-make watches would need to have the dial refinished to remove the emblem.
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.
