Seth Thomas Pocket Watch Models 10 - 13

Overview of Seth Thomas Pocket Watches

Characteristics of Seth Thomas Pocket Watch Models

Named Grades, Private Labels, and Special Use Timepieces

Model 1 and Model 3

Model 2

Model 4

Model 5

Eagle Series 18-size

Century Series

Model 14

Century Model 18

Model 19

0-Size Model 20

Centennial Series

Eagle Series 6-size

Bridge Model 23

Seth Thomas Century Series is represented in the Ehrhardt American Numbered Drawings as Model 10 EA 813 (top left), Model 11 EA 814 (top right), Model 12 EA 813C (bottom left), and Model 13 EA 814A (bottom right); and can be identified through the use of the drawings below:

Century Grade Private Label Pocket Watches

The Old and New Century grade models, including 6-size Century Model 18, stand apart from the Eagle Series and all individual models in that they contain no watches that bear the Seth Thomas signature. Every Century grade pocket watch is a private label pocket watch manufactured by the Seth Thomas Watch Company for a wholesale or retail company to sell as part of its own product line. Private labels within the Century grade include Adonis, Athabasca, Century U.S.A., Colonial U.S.A., Corona Watch Co., Countess Janet, Criterion, Edgemere, Engine Special, Knickerbocker Watch Co., Lake Shore, Liberty U.S.A. Pan-American, Peerless Watch Co, Republic U.S.A., R.R. Special, Rex, Sentinel U.S.A., Stratford U.S.A., Toronado Watch Co, Trainmens Special, Tribune, Waldorf U.S.A., and Wyoming Watch Co.

The 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog clearly states, about the Old Century Model and the New Century Model, that “These movements are not numbered”.

Since we know that some of the New Century Model 12 and Model 13 movements that we collect ARE numbered; we are able to know that the numbered Model 12 and Model 13 movements were manufactured after the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog was written.

Evidence of Century grade FAT (Factory Assigned Tracking) Numbers having been attached to non-numbered Century grade movements is shown at the end of the 18-size Century Model Specifications section. The FAT Numbers stamped on the Century grade movements in the Seth Thomas Fan collection are being collected and displayed there as well. More information can be found on the Dedicated Century Grade FAT Numbers page, which is still in the process of being built.

Mechanism & Dial View

Pillar Plate View

Century - Old Model

Model 10 and Model 11 are grouped together as they were presented in the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog No. 650 as the Century Old Model. None of the Model 10 nor Model 11 movements are numbered on the top plate. They were all manufactured as lever set movements, with either a gilt or nickel finish, 7 jewels, a plain/simple regulator, and a flat hairspring. They were the original Seth Thomas factory named grade Century movements.

Click these link to open the Model 10, Model 11, Model 12, or Model 13 Photo Albums in a new tab.

Model 10 open-face movements were manufactured with a gilt finish or nickel finish and 7 jewels, a plain/simple regulator, and flat hairspring at Seth Thomas factory named grade Century [*1.g].

Model 11 hunting orientation movements were manufactured with a gilt finish or nickel finish and 7 jewels, a plain/simple regulator, and flat hairspring at Seth Thomas factory named grade Century [*1.g].

Century - Old Model - Private Labels

The Century Grade Old Model Pan-American and Century U.S.A. Debut

In the Fall 1899 Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalog No. 109

The most prolific and well-known private label in the Century grade, Century U.S.A., got its start in the Old Century Series as a private label for Sears, Roebuck & Company for sale in their mail order catalog along with the Pan-American private label; but they were far from alone in the ranks of Old Century private label pocket watches. Model 10 and Model 11 also included Colonial U.S.A., Corona Watch Co, and Peerless Watch Co private labels.

Through the “Century Old Model Series” notes on page 17 of the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog, the Seth Thomas Watch Company informs us that “We also made a large number of special movements of this series, named Corona Watch Co., Pan-American and Colonial.

Below are depictions of the Model 10 Century U.S.A and the Model 10 Pan-American from the 1898 Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalog, photographs that I took in April of 2024 of a Model 10 Colonial U.S.A. while visiting the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol Connecticut, a photograph of my Model 10 Corona Watch Company movement, and an advertisement for the Model 11 Peerless Watch Co movement found in the 1900 Brooks Optical Company Catalog.

Century - New Model

Model 12 and Model 13 are grouped together because Models 12 and 13, the New Century Models, were the replacement for and based closely upon the design of Models 10 and 11, the Old Century Models. Models 12 and 13 movements initially (1903-1904) had no serial numbers on the top plate just as none of the previous Model 10 or Model 11 movements had any serial numbers on the top plate [ *1.g ]. Despite there being partial serial numbers on the pillar plate of their mechanisms, there is currently no reliable way to state exactly which early “un-numbered” Model 12 and 13 movements were manufactured before any others.

The New Century Model 12 and Model 13 movements are thinner and have smaller balance bridges than the Old Century Model 10 and Model 11 movements [ *1.g ].

Model 12 open-face movements were manufactured as lever set or pendant set, with a gilt, nickel, or two-tone finish and 7 jewels, and flat hairspring at Seth Thomas factory named grade Century [*1.g].

Model 13 hunting orientation movements were manufactured as lever set, with a gilt, nickel, or two-tone finish and 7 jewels, and flat hairspring at Seth Thomas factory named grade Century [*1.g].

Century - New Model - Private Labels

The Century Grade New Model Edgemere Makes its Debut

In the Spring 1904 Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalog No. 113

Page 18 of Spring 1904 Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalog No. 113

Seth Thomas Model 12 Edgemere & Trainmens Special

Page 18 of Spring 1904 Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalog No. 109

Seth Thomas Model 12 Edgemere

Page 18 of Spring 1904 Sears, Roebuck & Company Catalog No. 109

Seth Thomas Model 12 Trainmens Special

Century U.S.A. movements were phased out of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalog product line starting in the Fall of 1901 with the introduction of the Edgemere line; and Century was gone in the 1902 Fall catalog. Century movements were then seen for sale in the catalogs of A.C. Becken, Brooks Optical, Butler Brothers of New York, N. Shure Company, John M. Smyth Company, Holsman & Alter, Lapp & Flershem, Moore & Evans, W.H. Lasselle, and Otto Young & Company. This new 1913 Centennial version of Century U.S.A. hasn’t popped up in any of the period catalogs that I’ve explored; but I really haven’t had an opportunity to explore very many.

Adonis U.S.A.

EA 821 – Adonis U.S.A. – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial# 991674 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Athabasca

EA 813C – Athabasca Made in U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial# 1050460 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Colonial U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – STF Serial# COLONIAL12A – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Colonial U.S.A.

EA 821 – Athabasca Made in U.S.A. – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial# 3252273 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C– Corona Watch Co. New York U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number CORONA12E – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

EA 814A– Corona Watch Co. New York U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial# CORONA13B – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

Corona Watch Co. New York U.S.A.

EA 821 – Countess Janet – 6-size – Model 18 – Serial# 966625 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Countess Janet

Criterion

EA 813C – Criterion – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial# X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Edgemere – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial# 1003934 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Edgemere – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial# EDGEMERE13A – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Edgemere

Engine Special

EA 813C – Engine Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial# 1091017 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A– Knickerbocker Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1750408 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Knickerbocker Watch Co. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size open-face Model 12 and Seth Thomas 18-size hunting Model 13, Seth Thomas 6-size hunting Model 18 and Seth Thomas 6-size open-face Model 24.

Knickerbocker Watch Co. New York

EA 813C – Knickerbocker Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1168168 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Liberty U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1300131 – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Liberty U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1300196 – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Liberty U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

Liberty U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13.

Liberty U.S.A.

EA 813C – Liberty U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1212467 – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Liberty U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1229099 – 7 Jewels - Named Grade Century

EA 814 – Pan-American – 18-size – Model 11 – Serial Number PANAMERICAN11B – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814 – Pan-American – 18-size – Model 11 – Serial Number PANAMERICAN11C – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813 – Pan-American – 18-size – Model 10 – Serial Number PANAMERICAN10A – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814 – Pan-American – 18-size – Model 11 – Serial Number PANAMERICAN11A – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Pan-American is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 10 and Model 11 manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Company for sale in their retail catalog.

Pan-American

EA 813 – Pan-American – 18-size – Model 10 – Serial Number PANAMERICAN10C – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814 – Peerless Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 11 – Serial Number None – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Peerless Watch Co. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 10 and Model 11, and 6-size Model 16. Peerless Watch Co. movements were seen in the Brooks Optical Company catalog.

Peerless Watch Co.

EA 813 – Peerless Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 10 – Serial Number None – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – R.R. Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1105557 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – R.R. Special – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

R.R. Special is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13.

R.R. Special

EA 813C – R.R. Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1055631 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1169124 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number REPUBLIC12A – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 4068501 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1193243 – 15 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Republic U.S.A. - 18-size Movements - Model 12 & Model 13

EA 813C – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number REPUBLIC12B – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1751025 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Who Were Republic U.S.A. Movements Manufactured For?

Republic U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13, and 6-size Model 18, Model 19, and Model 24. The Pocket Watch Data reports that Seth Thomas was one of the manufactures making Republic U.S.A. movements for the Illinois Watch Case Company. Republic U.S.A. pocket watches were sold in the catalogs of N. Shure Company, Butler Brothers, J.M. Smyth, Hofman Jewelry Company, and others.

EA 814A – Republic U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1715676 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Rex – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number REX13A – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Another specimen of the Rex private label, serial #1035015 can be seen on the Pocket Watch Database; but it’s manufacturer was misclassified by the owner as “Other”, which would be expected with a completely unmarked movement.

Rex is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size open-face Model 12 and hunting Model 13. Rex was manufactured by Seth Thomas for Lapp & Flershem, a large wholesale jewelry house based in Chicago. Rex was significant for having no markings except for the serial number on the movement; and only “REX” on the dial. Information is listed below in the 1910 Price List and Advertisements can be viewed in the 1910 Lapp & Flershem “Busiest House in America” Catalogue.

Rex

EA 813C – Rex – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1028872 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Sentinel U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1740292 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Sentinel U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13. and 6-size Model 18.

Sentinel U.S.A.

EA 813C – Sentinel U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1197564 – 7 Jewels (Marked 19) - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Stratford U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1205238 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Stratford U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Stratford U.S.A. is a private label in Seth Thomas Model 12 and Model 13. It was manufactured for sale in the J.M. Smyth Company catalog.

Stratford U.S.A.

EA 813C – Stratford U.S.A. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1153777 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Tornado Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 13– Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Tornado Watch Co. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13.

Toronado Watch Co.

EA 813C – Tornado Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 12– Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number TRAINMENS12A – 7 Jewels (Marked as 23) - Named Grade Century

EA 813C – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number TRAINMENS12B – 7 Jewels (Marked as 17) - Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number TRAINMENS13A – 7 Jewels (Marked as17) - Named Grade Century

Trainmens Special is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size open-face Model 12 and Seth Thomas 18-size hunting Model 13 manufactured for Sears, Roebuck & Company for sale in their catalog. You can see the Trainmens Special advertisement in the lower right-hand corner of the Sears Catalog page shown below.

Trainmens Special

EA 813C – Trainmens Special – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1010272 – 7 Jewels (Marked as 23) - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A – Tribune – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Tribune is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-sizeModel 12 and Model 13.

Tribune

EA 813C – Tribune – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number X – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 813C –Wyoming Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1141969 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

EA 814A –Wyoming Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 13 – Serial Number 1718018 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

Wyoming Watch Co. is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size Model 12 and Model 13.

Wyoming Watch Co.

EA 813C –Wyoming Watch Co. – 18-size – Model 12 – Serial Number 1093404 – 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century

10CENTURY307

10CENTURY712

10CORONA240

10CENTURY568

10CENTURY499

10PANAMERICAN513

10PANAMERICAN504

10CENTURY480

10CORONA317

10PANAMERICAN922

Pillar Plate: 480 Back of Top Plate: 480 Balance Bridge: 478 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Transplant

Pillar Plate: 307 Back of Top Plate: 307 Balance Bridge: 307 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Pillar Plate: 712 Back of Top Plate: 712 Balance Bridge: 712 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Pillar Plate: 568 Back of Top Plate: 568 Balance Bridge: 568 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Pillar Plate: 499 Back of Top Plate: 499 Balance Bridge: 499 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Pillar Plate: 317 Back of Top Plate: 317 Balance Bridge: 317 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Pillar Plate: 240 Back of Top Plate: 240 Balance Bridge: 240 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Pillar Plate: 513 Back of Top Plate: 513 Balance Bridge: 513 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Transplant

Pillar Plate: 504 Back of Top Plate: 504 Balance Bridge: 600 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

Transplant

Pillar Plate: 922 Back of Top Plate: 922 Balance Bridge: 922 Winding Bridge: Blank 2 Dial Feet Screws

FAT Numbers

Factory Assigned Tracking Numbers

for Century Grade Movement Components

These non-numbered 18-size Century pocket watch movements carry a factory-assigned tracking number (FAT Number). Data shows that the FAT Number stamped on the pillar plate has not been omitted on any of the specimens examined. The FAT Number on the reverse side of the top plate, when present, has been exactly the same as the FAT Number shown on the pillar plate, the only exception observed to date being cases in which one of the plates appears to have been transplanted from another movement. Transplanted parts seem to be identified quite easily on the non-numbered Century grade movements using the FAT Numbers. The FAT Numbers appearing on other parts of the movement, underside of the balance bridge and on the winding bridge, are frequently truncated showing the last three, two, or one digits of the FAT Number. Since the pillar plate appears to be the most consistent and reliable source of the full Fat Number, the number appearing there is being observed as the FAT Number for any given movement.

No surviving factory documentation describing these markings has yet been identified; all conclusions presented here are based on physical examination and comparative analysis.

In the Seth Thomas Fan collection, FAT numbers observed on Model 10 movements range from 240 to 922. FAT numbers observed on Model 11 movements range from 116 to 34,301. FAT numbers observed on Model 12 movements range from 343 to 42,814. FAT numbers observed on Model 13 movements range from 182 to 324,601. Current evidence suggests FAT numbers may be unique within a model, but the factory’s full assignment logic is not yet known. These stamped numbers are illustrated and cataloged in the sections below.

FAT Numbers possibly hold potential to assist horologists in the development of a deeper understanding of the production process and chronology that took place at the Seth Thomas factory while non-numbered Century grade movements were being produced.

The first test of the usefulness of FAT Numbers will be the development of a FAT Number Derived Identifier for each non-numbered Century grade movement in the Seth Thomas Fan Collection. This part of the project holds the potential to create viable identifiers tied to physical non-numbered movements. This means that FAT Numbers may be able to play a role in assigning persistent identifiers to otherwise unidentifiable horological artifacts. Naming is what turns objects into data points.

NOTE: This page is under active development. It will continue to be updated as photographic documentation becomes available and as additional movements are added to the collection and documented. The research and classifications on this page follow the methods described in the Research Methodology.

In the illustrations below, the original Seth Thomas Fan Collection serial identifier is retained. Where present, a green alphanumeric label indicates a FAT Number–Derived Identifier used for internal cataloging and analysis. It is comprised of a two-digit model number, the private label name, and the FAT Number found on the pillar plate of the physical movement.