South Bend Watch Company
South Bend, United States · Fondée en 1903
Fondée par Clement Studebaker Jr., George M. Studebaker
South Bend Watch Company était un fabricant américain de montres fondé en 1903 à South Bend, Indiana. Spécialisée dans les montres de poche de qualité ferroviaire, South Bend cessa ses activités en 1929.
- Fondée en
- 1903
- Siège social
- South Bend, United States
- Groupe
- Independent
- Segment de prix
- Milieu de gamme
- Statut
- Disparue
Cessation: 1929
South Bend Watch Company a cessé ses activités en 1929 lors de la Grande Dépression, incapable de survivre à l'effondrement économique.
South Bend mesurait le temps des chemins de fer de l'Indiana — la Grande Dépression arrêta à la fois les trains et les montres.
Collections phares
- Studebaker — Grade de qualité ferroviaire haut de gamme de South Bend, nommé en hommage au célèbre fabricant automobile de la même ville.
- Polaris — Notable series produced in the company's later years, representing their continued commitment to precision timekeeping.
- Railroad Grades — Movements meeting strict railroad timing standards, including the Grade 227 and Grade 229, featuring 21 jewels and adjusted to multiple positions for maximum accuracy.
- The Studebaker South Bend — Top-tier movements combining the Studebaker branding with South Bend's finest craftsmanship, often featuring elaborate damascening on the plates.
Chronologie
- 1903 — Fondation de la South Bend Watch Company à South Bend, Indiana.
- 1906 — Factory completed and watch production commenced, with early movements gaining reputation for quality finishing.
- 1914 — Introduced the Studebaker line of premium movements, capitalising on the famous local automobile name.
- 1923 — Peak production years with full range of railroad-grade and consumer movements available.
- 1929 — La Grande Dépression contraint South Bend à cesser ses activités.
Questions fréquentes sur South Bend Watch Company
- Les montres South Bend sont-elles collectionnables ?
- Oui, les montres South Bend de qualité ferroviaire, notamment les grades Studebaker et 229, sont appréciées des collectionneurs d'horlogerie ferroviaire américaine.
- Are South Bend watches still valuable?
- South Bend pocket watches remain collectible, particularly railroad-grade movements and Studebaker-branded models. High-grade examples in good condition command respectable prices among American horology collectors, though they generally rank below Hamiltons and Walthams.
- Can I still buy a South Bend watch today?
- South Bend watches are available only on the vintage market through dealers, auctions, and collector sales. The brand has never been revived, so no new production exists.
- What connection did South Bend watches have to Studebaker automobiles?
- The Studebaker family of automobile fame helped found and finance the South Bend Watch Company, with Clement Studebaker Jr. serving as an early backer. The company later produced a premium 'Studebaker' line of movements trading on this connection.
- Were South Bend watches approved for railroad use?
- Yes, South Bend produced several movements meeting railroad timing standards, including 21-jewel grades adjusted to multiple positions. These were approved for use by railroad employees requiring precise, reliable timekeeping.