Seth Thomas Pocket Watch Model 19
MODEL No. 19.
EA 821 [*15]
Seth Thomas 6-size Model 19 is represented in the Ehrhardt American Numbered Drawings as EA 821 and can be identified through the use of the drawing below:
Model 19 was described by Roy Ehrhardt in his Identification and Price Guide to American Pocket Watches [*15] as a 6-size hunting movement in gilt or nickel, pendant or lever set, with a Breguet hairspring, sharing the EA 821 configuration with Model 18 movements. One might initially conclude that the Breguet hairspring is the only difference between the movements; but that is not actually the case. As a study of Model 17 teaches us, when Seth Thomas designed a 6-size movement to utilize the Breguet hairspring a subtle modification was made to the regulator and the balance bridge to maximize the effectiveness of the Breguet hairspring for that movement. That subtle design modification was also found on Model 19 regulators and balance bridges.
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As a study of Model 17 teaches us, when Seth Thomas designed a 6-size movement to utilize the Breguet hairspring a subtle modification was made to the regulator and the balance bridge to maximize the effectiveness of the Breguet hairspring for that movement. That subtle design modification was also found on Model 19 regulators and balance bridges.
The Seth Thomas 6-size Model 15 and Model 16 utilized a flat hairspring. When Seth Thomas decided that Model 17 would utilize the Breguet hairspring the regulator and balance bridge were modified to maximize the efficiency of the new hairspring. In the images below you can compare Model 16 and Model 17 to see the modifications made to accommodate the new technology.
Seth Thomas decided to once again utilize the flat hairspring in their 6-size Century Grade Model 18 movements; but decided to use the Breguet hairspring with the modifications to the regulator and balance bridge in their Model 19 movements.
In the 6-size movement that utilize a flat hairspring the balance bridge extends beneath the entire circumference of the regulator ring. In the 6-size movements that utilize a Breguet hairspring a portion of the balance bridge is cut or milled away to permit a shorter regulator arm to grasp the Breguet hairspring closer to its center. This modification to the balance bridge is difficult to see with the regulator in place; but it can be detected by swinging the regulator pointer clockwise to see if it will extend beyond the edge of the balance bridge. With a flat hairspring the pointer easily extends beyond the balance bridge as long as the hairspring stud is installed properly and not extending above the surface of the bridge. A regulator designed for the Breguet hairspring will only extend until the regulator arm hits the continuation of the balance bridge below the regulator ring. This will prevent the regulator pointer from extending beyond the edge of the regulator. This limitation of the regulator swing becomes a simple test to tell the Model 18’s from the Model 19’s. The production of Model 18 movements subsequent to serial number 4,000,000 also utilized the Breguet hairspring with the same modifications to the regulator and balance bridge.
In the images below can compare the sizes of the regulators designed for use with the Breguet hairspring, Model 17 and Model 19, with the regulators designed for use with the flat hairsprings, Model 16 and Model 18.
The photograph on the left below shows the Model 17 regulator on the left with a shorter regulator arm to engage the Breguet hairspring closer to its core. The regulator on the right is from the older Model 16 designed for use with the flat hairspring.
The image on the right below shows the Model 19 regulator on the left with a shorter regulator arm to engage the Breguet hairspring closer to its core. The regulator on the right is from the older Model 18 designed for use with the flat hairspring.
Select Illustrated Grades within Model 19
Seth Thomas Grade 35
7 Jewel - Model 19
This 1912-1914 Seth Thomas 6-size hunting Model 19 pocket watch was manufactured with a two-tone finished 3/4 plate, 7 jewels, and it is non-adjusted. The movement is stem wound and pendant set, with a Breguet hair spring, and plain/simple regulator. Its serial number is 3001903, and its grade is Seth Thomas numbered grade 35. The movement is signed “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.”.
The movement presents with a 6-size Seth Thomas #1202 Arabic snug dial with a ring minute track and red five-minute marginals; fitted with Seth Thomas #1271 blued spade hands. The dial has no seconds bit and transforms apparent configuration of the movement from hunting to open-face.
The movement is temporarily cased in a 6-size Illinois Watch Case Company 20-year gold-filled "Winner" hunting watch case, serial number 2792720.
*References
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1.b 1890 Illustrated Catalogue of Seth Thomas Clocks No. 495
1.c 1892 Illustrated Catalogue of Seth Thomas Clocks No. 531
1.d 1890 & 1895 Illustrated Catalog of Tools Materials, Finding and Supplies, Lapp & Flershem, 98 State Street, Chicago IL
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1.f 1896 Illustrated Catalog of Watches, A. C. Becken, 103 State Street, Chicago IL
1.g 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog No. 650
1.h 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Illustrated Price List No. 671
1.i 1905 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List September 15, 1905
1.j 1908 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List September 1, 1908
1.k 1909 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List October 1, 1909
1.l 1913 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List Centennial Edition September 1, 1913
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1.n Catalog of Seth Thomas Watch Models and Grades, compiled by Daniel J. Gaenger
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1.p United States Patents granted to Herman A. T. Reinecke and Charles T. Higginbotham for watch features utilized by the Seth Thomas Company
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