Seth Thomas Pocket Watch Movement Finishes
Seth Thomas pocket watch movements evolved from very plain gilt plates, to intricately engraved nickel top and pillar plates, to eye grabbing two-tone and gilt damaskeened plates.
Seth Thomas Gilt Finish Movements
Seth Thomas manufactured gilt pocket watch movements in 18-size Model 1, Model 2, Model 3, Model 4, Model 5, Model 6, Model 10, Model 11, Model 12, and Model 13. Seth Thomas manufactured gilt pocket watch movements in 6-size Model 14.
Seth Thomas Nickel Movement Finishes
Seth Thomas manufactured nickel finish pocket watch movements in 18-size Model 2, Model 3, Model 5, Model 6, Model 7, Model 8, Model 9, Model 10, Model 11, Model 12, and Model 13. Seth Thomas manufactured nickel finish pocket watch movements in 6-size Model 14, Model 15, Model 16, Model 17, Model 18, and Model 19. Seth Thomas manufactured nickel finish pocket watch movements in 0-size Model 20. Seth Thomas manufactured nickel finish pocket watch movements in 16-size Model 21. Seth Thomas manufactured nickel finish pocket watch movements in 12-size Model 22, and Model 23. In short Seth Thomas manufactured nickel finish pocket watch movements in every model except Model 1 and Model 4.
The earliest Seth Thomas movements to be manufactured with a nickel finish were the 18-size Model 2 and Model 3 movements. Below you can see two of the earliest surviving Seth Thomas pocket watch movements with nickel finish, Model 2 serial number 25180 and Model 3 serial number 34144. They are the earliest movements with a nickel finish in the Seth Thomas Fan Collection.
Seth Thomas Two-Tone Movement Finishes
Seth Thomas manufactured two-tone finish pocket watch movements in 18-size Model 5, Model 6, Model 7, Model 8, Model 9, Model 12, and Model 13. Seth Thomas manufactured two-tone finish pocket watch movements in 6-size Model 15, Model 16, Model 17, Model 18, and Model 19.
According to the Seth Thomas Clock Company Catalog of Watch Models and Grades by D. J. Gaenger, the first Seth Thomas standard production pocket watches bearing a two-tone finish were manufactured in Model 5. It was mostly reserved for the higher with grades 17 jewels or more; but some 15-jewel movements also received the two-tone finish. Below you can see two of the early (circa 1895) Model 5 movements manufactured in two-tone finish and two of the last Seth Thomas movements to receive the two-tone finish circa 1915 in Model 19 and Model 18.
Seth Thomas Gilt Damaskeened Movement Finishes
Seth Thomas manufactured gilt damaskeened pocket watch movements in 18-size Model 5, Model 8, Model 9, Model 12, and Model 13. Seth Thomas manufactured gilt damaskeened pocket watch movements in 6-size Model 18, and Model 19.
