This 1886 Seth Thomas open-face 18-size Model 1 pocket watch was manufactured with a gilt finished 3/4 plate, 11 jewels, and is non-adjusted. The movement is stem wound and lever set, with a flat hair spring and simple/plain regulator. Its serial number is 6492, and its grade is Seth Thomas numbered grade 44.  This is one of the first four private label pocket watches manufactured by Seth Thomas.  The private label movement is signed “C. Liebenow & Son”. This is a quick train movement and two patents, Jan. 13, 85 & Sept. 1, 85, are engraved on the movement on one line.

The movement presents with an 18-size Seth Thomas Roman dial with a ring minute track and no marginals. It is fitted with Seth Thomas #1281 blued spade hands, 18-size. 

C. Liebenow & Son is a private label pocket watch produced by Seth Thomas in 18-size open-face Model 1 and Model 6. According to Roy Ehrhard in his Identification and Price Guide of American Pocket Watches – 1999, this private label was also manufactured by Illinois Watch Company in 16-size hunting Model 1, and Hamilton Watch Company in 16-size hunting Model 1A.

Christian Liebenow and his son, Ludwig Heinrich (Henry) Liebenow were jewelers in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. A photo caption from the Manitowoc Public Library Archive tells us that the business was opened in 1870 by Christian Liebenow and managed by Henry Liebenow after the death of his father, Christian, in 1879. Henry Liebenow was married on January 15, 1877, to Josie Sproehnle at her home in Chicago, Illinois. Newspaper advertisements and articles related to C. Liebenow & Son have been found spanning the time from 1878 until 1910. The C. Liebenow & Son business was sold to John Koehler, and Henry Liebenow died on January 6, 1916, a few years after his retirement.

The movement is cased in an open-face 18-size Keystone Watch Case Company 14k 20-year gold-filled J. Boss pocket watch case with screw back and bezel, serial number 5004235.

The first two photographs below from the Manitowoc Public Library archive shows the exterior and interior of the C. Liebenow & Son store at 9 North 8th Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin as it was at the turn of the 20th century.

The postcard photographs below show Manitowoc, Wisconsin as it was at the turn of the 20th century.