A. C. Becken
Information from Wholesale, Retail, and Manufacturer’s Catalogs
Advertising for Seth Thomas Model 6 private label pocket watch Liberty/Eagle/Garden City, and Model 15 private label The Queen/Rose/Garden City, as well as Henry Molineux and Maiden Lane Named Grade pocket watches, and the following Numbered Grade movements:
Model 2 Grade 56, 55, 34, and 33.
Model 3 Grade 508, 506, 408, 406, 180, 179, 152, 80, 79, and 52.
Model 5 Grade 510, 182, 159, 82, 59, and 58.
Model 14 Grade 122, 119, and 46.
On the top row:
This partial page from the A.C. Becken Annual Catalog advertises a movement, that many of us know as the “Eagle”, that A.C. Becken calls “Liberty” “Made by Seth Thomas”. There is no dial shown; but it is described as a “sunk second dial”, “glass enamel”, “fancy or plain dial”, “with Arabic or Roman figures”, with fancy hands. The movement is an 18-size Seth Thomas Model 6 with a nickel finish, 7 jewels, and grade 36. The movement is unsigned; but has the engraving of a large eagle. This movement was known alternately as “Eagle”, “Liberty”, and “Garden City”.
On the second row, left to right, you can see a movement advertised as “The Queen”, that many of us know as the “Rose”. It is a 6-size Model 15 with nickel finish, 7 jewels at grade 5. The movement is unsigned; but has the engraving of a long stem rose. This movement was known alternately as “Rose”, “The Queen”, and “Garden City”.
1896 A.C. B, Jewelers’ Wholesale Price List, Chicago Ill
This is page 10 from the 1896 A.C. B, Jewelers’ Wholesale Price List, Chicago Ill.
On the top row, left to right, you can see an 18-size Model 2 with nickel finish, 20 ruby jewels, Henry Molineux grade movement; an 18-size Model 3 with nickel finish, 17 jewels at grade 506; and an 18-size Model 3 with nickel finish, 17 jewels at grade 180.
On the second row, left to right, you can see an 18-size Model 3 with nickel finish, 15 jewels at grade 152; an 18-size Model 2 with gilt finish, 7 jewels at grade 34; and an 18-size Model 5 with 21 ruby jewels at Maiden Lane grade.
On the bottom row, left to right, you can see a 6-size Model 14 with nickel finish, 15 jewels, at grade 119; a 6-size Model 14 with nickel finish, 11 jewels at grade 122; and a 6-size Model 14 with gilt finish, 7 jewels at grade 46.
1907 Sixteenth Annual Catalogue & Illustrated Price List
This is page 13 from the 1907 A.C. Becken Sixteenth Annual Catalogue and Illustrated Price List
In the top row you can see an 18-size Seth Thomas Hunting Model 13 Century U.S.A. with nickel finish, 7 jewels, Century grade movement. Also available in Open-Face Model 12.
In the second row you can see a 6-size Hunting Model 18 with nickel finish, 7 jewels, Century grade movement. Only available in Hunting Case.
It was not until 1913 with the release of the Centennial Grade Open-Face Watches that Seth Thomas offered a true open-face 6-size pocket watch. Despite the contract with Sears, Roebuck & Company having been cancelled years before, “private label” Century U.S.A. movements were produced within the Centennial Grade release.