Seth Thomas Fanfare
Newsletter of the Seth Thomas Fan Space website.
In This Issue of Seth Thomas Fanfare
Quick Train - of Thought from SethThomasFan
Private Label - REX
Marking Time - Model 1 & Model 3
Breakthrough Moments - Tourist Travel Timepiece
Balance Bridge - Model 1 & Model 2
- Model 3 & Model 4
Minute Wheel - Seth Thomas Fan Space on Facebook
Autumn 2025 - Issue 1
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
Serial # 1028872 - 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century - REX
This 1904 Seth Thomas open-face 18-size Model 12 pocket watch was manufactured with a nickel finished 3/4 plate, 7 jewels, and it is non-adjusted. The movement is stem wound and lever set, with a flat hair spring and simple/plain regulator. Its serial number is 1028872, and its grade is Seth Thomas named grade Century. This rare private label movement is completely unsigned.
The movement presents with an 18-size private label "REX" Arabic dial with a ring minute track and black five-minute marginals, fitted with Seth Thomas #1281 blued spade hands 18-size. REX is a Private Label (Marked on Dial Only) in Seth Thomas Model 12 with an unsigned and unmarked movement manufactured expressly for Lapp & Flershem of Chicago.
The movement is cased in an 18-size H. Muhrs Sons Silverode (nickel) pocket watch case with screw back and bezel, serial number 464930. Temporary Case
Serial # REX13A - 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Century - REX
This 1898-1904 Seth Thomas 18-size hunting Model 13 pocket watch was manufactured with a two-tone finished 3/4 plate, 7 jewels, and it is non-adjusted. The movement was stem wound and lever set, with a flat hair spring and micrometric regulator. Its SETH THOMAS FAN Serial Number is REX13A, and its grade is Seth Thomas named grade Century. The movement is not signed.
The movement presents with an 18-size private label "REX" Roman dial with a ring minute track and black five-minute marginals, fitted with Seth Thomas #1281 blued spade hands 18-size. REX is a Private Label (Marked on Dial Only) in Seth Thomas Model 12 and Model 13 with an unsigned and unmarked movement manufactured expressly for Lapp & Flershem of Chicago.
The movement is temporarily cased in an 18-size Fahys Watch Company Oresilver No. 1 (nickel) open-face pocket watch case with screw back and bezel, serial number 338512.
Model 1 Movement Markings
There were four styles of standard movement markings used on Seth Thomas Model 1 pocket watches.
The standard movement markings on Model 1 movements started out with the signature “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.” inscribed around the lower 180 degrees of the perimeter of the top plate. The signature presents in a Formal Script font. Above the signature is the capitalized abbreviation for the word “number”, “No.”, also in Formal Scrip font, followed by the serial number expressed in Arabic numerals. Above the movement serial number, the patent information “PAT’D. JAN. 13, 85.” was inscribed using a single line in Serif Caps font. Serial number 791 is the highest serial number utilizing this marking format for which photographic documentation is available on the Pocket Watch Database.
Movement Marking Style 1 - Documented serial number range 94 - 791.
Some time between serial numbers 791 and 928, the standard movement markings on Model 1 movements changed. Above the movement serial number, the patent information was inscribed as “PATENTED” on one line and “JAN. 13, and Sept.1, 85.” on a second line. Serial number 928 is both the lowest and the highest serial number utilizing this marking format for which photographic documentation is available on the Pocket Watch Database. You can view the markings on Seth Thomas serial number 928 on the first of page of the Pocket Watch Database Model 1 Image Gallery.
Movement Marking Style 2 - Documented serial number 928.
Some time between serial numbers 928 and 1257, the standard movement markings on Model 1 movements changed again. The abbreviation for “Number” was removed and the serial number itself stood alone. Serial number 3116 is the highest serial number utilizing this marking format for which photographic documentation is available on the Pocket Watch Database.
Movement Marking Style 3 - Documented serial number range 1257 - 3116.
Some time after serial number 2798 and before the next specimen available for observation on the Pocket Watch Database, serial number 2944, the standard movement markings on Model 1 movements then changed to the signature “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.” inscribed around the lower 180 degrees of the perimeter. Above the signature the serial number is expressed in Arabic numerals. Above the movement serial number, the patent information “PAT’D. JAN. 13, and Sept.1, 85.” is inscribed on one line. Serial number 10875 is the highest Model 1 serial number available for observation on the Pocket Watch Database. It maintained the same standard format.
Movement Marking Style 4 - Documented serial number range 2944 - 10875.
You can support and assist our Seth Thomas Fan Space Research Project by uploading photographs of your Seth Thomas pocket watches to the Pocket Watch Database. Pocket Watch Database accounts are free of charge, and you will have full access to the photographs and descriptive information that you share, and you will have the ability to edit, change, or delete the information and photographs that you submit as you see fit.
Model 3 Movement Markings
There were four styles of standard movement markings used on Seth Thomas Model 3 pocket watches.
The standard movement markings on Model 3 movements started out very much the same as the highest serial numbered Model 1 movements had, with the exception of the patent information, which was not marked on the Model 3 movements.
Movement Marking Style 1 - Documented serial number range 11040 - 12492.
Somewhere between serial numbers 12492 and 12546 the marking “SAFETY PINION” was added in an upward arc above the serial number. Examples of these movements may be seen in the Model 3 Image Gallery of the Pocket Watch Database.
Movement Marking Style 2 - Documented serial number range 12546 - 12824.
Somewhere between serial numbers 12824 and 13014 the “Seth Thomas” portion of the signature was moved from the arc of the circumference of the movement to a partially overlapping concentric arc just above the “Thomaston, Conn.” portion of the signature which remained on the arc of the circumference; but was engraved in Serif Caps font instead of Formal Script. At the same time the serial number was reduced in size and moved from the center of the movement to the right-hand end of the cutout below the balance wheel. For some reason several of the private label movements still had the serial number in the older central position and were not marked “SAFETY PINION”.
Movement Marking Style 3 - Documented serial number range 13014 - 507900.
Somewhere between serial numbers 42094 and 48637 the “Seth Thomas” portion of the signature was bent into an upward arc overlapping and above the “Thomaston, Conn.” portion of the signature which remained on the arc of the circumference; but was engraved in an Old English font instead of Serif Caps. Style 4 only appears in a narrow range of numbers within the Style 3 range.
Movement Marking Style 4 - Documented serial number range 48637 - 71872.
You can support and assist our Seth Thomas Fan Space Research Project by uploading photographs of your Seth Thomas pocket watches to the Pocket Watch Database. Pocket Watch Database accounts are free of charge, and you will have full access to the photographs and descriptive information that you share, and you will have the ability to edit, change, or delete the information and photographs that you submit as you see fit.
Seth Thomas - Tourist - Travel Timepieces
Shown above are all of the Seth Thomas travel timepieces that used a Seth Thomas pocket watch movement as their time keeping mechanism. On the top left you have the 1896 Companion that contained a Seth Thomas Model 6 movement, and below that we have two cuts of the Traveler that contained the key set Model 4 movement. In the center we have the 1906 Companion that contained a Seth Thomas Model 8 movement. On the top right we have the Tourist No. 16 that contained a 16-size Pendant Set Model 21, and below that we have the Tourist No. 12 that contained the 12-size Pendant Set Model 22.
The Model 6 and Model 8 movements contained in the Companion are the only Seth Thomas pocket watch movements that are pin set. A cut (woodcut engraving) of the Companion’s image is displayed, and all of its unique components, along with its uncasing procedure, are described in the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog. The same cut of the Companion’s image is accompanied by a description of its unique features in the 1913 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List. The same cut of the Companion’s image is also used by author Tran Duy Ly in his two-volume book, Seth Thomas Clocks & Movements. Publicly available photographic documentation of the Companion and its component parts is extremely limited. Available period advertising related to the Companion only depicts a front exterior aspect of it. Likewise, comprehensive photographic documentation of the Seth Thomas Tourist, and Seth Thomas Traveler is essentially absent from the public domain. I am extremely grateful to be in a position to provide a more complete photographic documentation for two of these special, unique Seth Thomas timepieces, the Companion and the Tourist, to the horological community.
Seth Thomas - Tourist - A Travel Timepiece
Tourist
The Seth Thomas “Tourist” was a folding leather travel timepiece made in two overall versions, one containing a 12-size Seth Thomas Centennial movement and the other containing a 16-size Seth Thomas Centennial movement. Each was contained within a pocket-sized 2 1/2-inch by 3 1/4-inch leather case/stand. Sitting in a pouch within this case/stand, the 12-size Centennial movement was fitted with a traditional pocket watch dial and case. It peeked out from behind through a hole in the leather wall that positioned it in a somewhat vertical orientation. The 16-size movement was fitted with a specialized conversion dial and a case that would grasp the leather stand by screwing the bezel down upon the leather around the hole in the leather wall through which the male threads of the case protruded.
Serial Number 1306649 - 7 Jewels - Factory Named Grade Centennial - Tourist Travel Timepiece
This 1913 Seth Thomas 16-size open-face Model 21 pocket watch was manufactured with a nickel 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 1306649, and its grade is Seth Thomas named grade Centennial. The movement is signed “Seth Thomas Centennial Thomaston, Conn.”.
The movement presents with a special Tourist 16-size Seth Thomas Arabic conversion dial with a hash marks minute track and no marginals, fitted with Seth Thomas blued spade hands 16-size. This dial converts the appearance of the movement to look like an up-side-down open-face movement with the winding stem at the 6:00 o’clock position for use in the Seth Thomas Tourist travel timepiece. Dial feet are placed at approximately 5 minutes, 16 minutes, and 43 minutes; placing the pendant at 6:00 instead of 12:00.
The movement is cased in a 16-size Illinois Watch Case Company Nickel Silver (nickel) pocket watch case with a snap back cover and special screw bezel made specifically for the Seth Thomas Tourist 16 with a special stem to be mounted into a leather case; and special bezel to screw down over and onto the leather carrying case. The serial number is O64671.
Not only did this specimen have its leather case/stand intact; but it arrived with its original box with advertising printed on the lid. I was unable to mechanically remove most of the graffiti that had been placed on the lid; but it was possible through the magic of photo editing to scrub most of it off of the image to reveal what the lid looked like without the graffiti.
Tourist Travel Timepiece
EA 815 – Model 21 - Centennial – 16-size – Serial Number 1306186 – 7 jewels
It is easier to identify which 16-size Centennials were deployed within the ranks of leather-cased Tourist travel timepieces despite their being separated from their leather stand/case. The 16-size Centennials that were used in the Tourist travel timepiece had a conversion dial that placed the winding stem at 6:00 and there is no seconds bit on their dial. They also had a Nickel Silver case, manufactured by Illinois Watch Case Company, that had a snap back cover and a screw bezel. The bezel was slightly larger than the case body and its threads left a small gap in which it could gain a grip on the leather case that it overlapped. Other differences in the specialized watch cases were a squared pendant without any attachment points for a bow and the lack of a bow. No photographs of the 16-size Tourist travel timepiece were publicly available in its leather case/stand until July of 2025 when Seth Thomas Fan Space published them to this website.
The photos above show a Seth Thomas cut for the 16-size Centennial Model 21; the gap in the specialized case where the bezel screws down to grip the leather case/stand; the 16-size Tourist case/stand that allows access to the crown for the watch to be wound and/or set from the 6:00 position; the squared pendant on the specialized case with no attachment points on this pendant for a bow; the snap on back cover for the Tourist 16’s case made by Illinois Watch Case Company.
EA 822 – Model 22 - Centennial – 12-size – Serial Number 3280055 – 7 jewels
Aside from their being fitted with heavy railroad hands, it is not possible to know which 12-size Centennials were deployed within the ranks of the leather-cased Tourist travel timepieces unless they are still paired with the leather Tourist case/stand. Inside the leather case/stand, the 12-size Tourist movements were cased normally like any other 12-size Centennial pocket watch. No photographs of the 12-size Tourist travel timepiece are publicly available in its leather Tourist case/stand. The 12-size watch could readily be removed from the leather case and be used as a standard conventional pocket watch.
Balance Bridge Engraving Patterns
Seth Thomas pocket watch balance bridges contribute and support critical components that enable the superb accuracy of Seth Thomas pocket watches. In addition to this essential role in the mechanical function of the watch movements, the balance bridges present with beautiful decorative engraving patterns unique to each pocket watch model, enhancing the appealing combination of elegance and practicality that compliments the high degree of craftsmanship and engineering genius that went into the production of Seth Thomas pocket watch movements.
If this introductory statement sounds like the gateway to an art appreciation lesson; fear not. As a collector, or a watchmaker it is important to be able to utilize the clues embedded within the components of your watches to discern whether or not they are original components, and to assist in clarifying the identity of the mechanism that you are observing. The decorative engraving patterns on the balance bridges of Seth Thomas pocket watches will talk to you if you are alert enough to listen.
In this article you will be provided with a comprehensive visual reference guide to the engraving patterns on the balance bridges of all twenty-four Seth Thomas pocket watch models.
Take a moment to consider the features of, and positions of, the components of the two Seth Thomas pocket watch movements pictured below. What are they telling you that would provide documentary evidence of the watches’ identities?
Unknown Pocket Watch Movement Number 1
Unknown Pocket Watch Movement Number 2
A simple and obvious component position in this example is the positioning of the balance bridges. They are both projecting from the circumference of the movement and pointing in the counter-clockwise direction. This strongly suggests that they are both open-face pocket watches. The Seth Thomas open-face pocket watch models are the 18-size Model 1, 18-size Model 3, 18-size Model 5, 18-size Model 6, 18-size Model 8, 18-size Model 10, 18-size Model 12, 16-size Pendant Set Model 21, 12-size Pendant Set Model 22, 12-size Bridge Model 23, and 6-size Pendant Set Model 24. 18-size Model 4 is convertible to either open-face or hunting case orientation because it is key wound and key set; having no winding stem to dictate either orientation.
That narrows the field of possibilities from 24 Seth Thomas models to only 11 possible models.
Next we should look at the shape and penetration points of the top plate. They are described in great detail for us by Roy Ehrhardt in his “Identification and Price Guide to American Pocket Watches”. He devised a system using numbered diagrams, drawings of every American made pocket watch manufactured before 1999. The EA (Ehrhardt American) numbers for Seth Thomas movements range from EA 805 - EA 823.
The best matches with the EA Numbered Drawings for Unknown Pocket Watch Movement Number 1 are EA 813 and EA 813B.
EA 813
EA 813B
Key differential markers in making a correct match include: EA 813 has the same squared plate cut near the balance wheel as Unknown #1, EA 813B has a deeper rounded cut pattern near the balance wheel; EA 813 has the same casing screw positions as Unknown #1 at approximately 180 degrees from each other, the casing screws on EA 813B are approximately 100 degrees from each other; EA 813 has the same sharp tip on the wing of the balance bridge as Unknown #1, EA 813B has a blunted wing tip; EA 813 has the same tab for the plate screw near the base of the balance bridge as Unknown #1, EA 813B has a fuller curve to the plate with no need for a screw tab; the engraving and dimensions of the balance bridge on EA 813 are a match with Unknown #1, while the engraving on the balance bridge of EA 813 does not match that of Unknown #1 and the bridge on EA 813A appears to be smaller.
The New Century Models, 12 and 13, had some differences from the Old Century Models as described in the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog, “These movements are thinner and have smaller balance bridges than old models 10 and 11”.
Visual evidence seems to support an initial identification of Unknown #1 as a Seth Thomas Model 10 “Colonial U.S.A.” movement.
The best matches with EA Numbered Drawings for Unknown Pocket Watch Movement Number 2 are EA 813A and EA 813C.
EA 813C
EA 813A
The key differential marker in making a correct identification of Unknown #2 rests entirely in the dimensions and shape of the balance bridge. The spiral vine balance bridge engraving pattern at the base of Unknown #2 is not a match with the blank pattern on the base of the EA 813A drawing and is not a match for the geometric engraving pattern on base of the EA 813C drawing. The size of the balance bridge on Unknown #2 is narrower than that of Unknown #1 and of EA 813A. Its size appears to be a match with EA 813C.
Visual evidence seems to support an initial identification of Unknown #2 as a Seth Thomas Model 12 “Colonial U.S.A.” movement.
Upon measuring and comparing the outside diameter of the regulator ring on the balance bridges of the “Unknown #2” Model 12 Colonial and an available Model 10 Pan-American; the Model 12 Colonial’s regulator ring measured 5.64mm, and the Model 10 Pan-American’s regulator ring measured 6.86mm. The engraving inside the larger Model 10 regulator ring is a lotus blossom. The space inside the smaller Model 12 regulator ring is only large enough for the engraving of a daisy blossom. The photographs below document those measurements and show a side-by-side comparison of a Model 12 balance bridge with the more standard engraving pattern next to a visibly larger Model 10 balance bridge.
The spiral vine pattern is seen on the base of the balance bridge of Model 10 movements and some of the early movements of Model 12, prior to 1904 and prior the Model 12 movements being stamped with a serial number.
Other visual clues that would go into making an initial identification include the movement markings. In this instance you can see through the photographs of a Seth Thomas 18-size Model 10 Private Label Colonial U.S.A. photographed at the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol Connecticut in April 2024, that the Model 10 movement markings include “U.S.A.” below “Colonial”. The Model 12 movement markings do not. I do not know of any other source that has published this differential fact; but I can only hope that seeing is believing.
The importance of making historical background information freely available to all who have interest in the roots of the American clock and watch industry cannot be overstated. Information that is not freely shared not only confounds the research and practice of present day horologists; but will likely be forever lost to the future generations of horologists.
The Pocket Watch Database, founded and administered by Nathan Moore, by serving as a collective repository for the studies and research of many, is playing the greatest role in collecting, organizing, consolidating, and freely disseminating invaluable information to the horological community and the public at large.
Another visual clue that would go into making an initial identification includes the lack of serial numbers on these movements. None of the Seth Thomas Model 10 movements had serial numbers stamped into the top plate; although partial serial numbers can be found on the pillar plate under the dial, as well as on certain components such as the balance bridge. Some of the earlier Model 12 movements also lack a serial number on the top plate. In the 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog it was stated, regarding Model 12 and Model 13 that; “These movements are not numbered”. This is how we know that the numbered Model 12 and Model 13 movements were produced in the years sometime after 1904. Almost all other Seth Thomas movements in all of the other Seth Thomas models have a serial number stamped clearly on the top plate.
A confounding factor in making this quick visual identification is the Model 12 Colonial U.S.A. having an engraving pattern on its balance bridge that is different from the vast majority of other Model 12 movements; but very similar to the Model 10 and 11, Old Century, models’ engraving pattern. This rare Model 12 engraving pattern is not actually the same as the Model 10 pattern. The direction of the spiral pattern is opposite. It is also the case that this rare Model 12 engraving pattern is not completely unique to the Colonial USA private label in Model 12. I have an example of a Model 12 Century USA private label with the same rare engraving pattern on its balance bridge.
Seth Thomas Balance Bridge Engraving Patterns by Model Number
Some considerable brainstorming must have occurred when planning out the combination of consistency and diversity of the Seth Thomas balance bridge engraving patterns. Each 18-size, 16-size, 12-size, and open-face 6-size Seth Thomas model has a unique set of engraving patterns used on its balance bridges. The 6-size hunting Model 14, Model 15, Model 16, Model 17, Model 18, and Model 19 share one consistent engraving pattern. 6-size Model 18 has an additional decorative engraving pattern. In addition to these unique decorative balance bridge engraving patterns many of the balance bridges also exhibit the same overall finish pattern as the rest of the top plate. The 12-size Bridge Model 23 only used a unique decorative bridge engraving pattern on the early serial numbers. After that the balance bridges only exhibit the overall finish of the rest of their top plate. These are the only Seth Thomas balance bridges without a decorative engraving pattern.
When assessing and comparing the balance bridge engraving patterns it is useful to observe them in three component areas:
1. The engraving around the balance bridge screw.
2. The engraving between the regulator scale and the regulator ring.
3. The engraving inside the regulator ring.
- An additional significant point of comparison is whether the tip of the bridge’s wing comes to a sharp point or is blunted.
18-size Seth Thomas open-face Model 1 has three varied decorative balance bridge engraving patterns.
A spiral vine pattern with no engraving inside regulator ring; sharp pointed wing tip
A spiral vine pattern with engraving inside regulator ring; sharp pointed wing tip
A spiral vine pattern with heavy engraving inside regulator ring; sharp pointed wing tip
18-size Seth Thomas hunting Model 2 has two distinct decorative balance bridge engraving patterns.
A spiral vine pattern; blunted wing tip
A trident-like pattern; blunted wing tip
A trident-like pattern; blunted wing tip
18-size Seth Thomas open-face Model 3 has two distinct decorative balance bridge engraving patterns.
A spiral vine pattern; sharp pointed wing tip
A geometric pattern; sharp pointed wing tip
A geometric pattern; sharp pointed wing tip
18-size Seth Thomas convertible Model 4 has one distinct decorative balance bridge engraving pattern.
A geometric pattern; sharp pointed wing tip
Seth Thomas Fan Space on Facebook is the only real Facebook Group for safe, honest conversation solely about Seth Thomas pocket watches, history, and clocks. The Seth Thomas Fan Space FACEBOOK GROUP is where people who are interested in the history of Seth Thomas mechanical clocks and mechanical pocket watches can come to share their knowledge and quench their interest whether they are brand new to this subject matter or have been interested in the field for decades. Together we are the Seth Thomas Fan community. Please be sure to read the group rules carefully.
The Seth Thomas Fan Space on Facebook has really started to develop into a community space where people can share portions of their Seth Thomas Clock or Pocket Watch collections and find honest, helpful feedback. It is clear that the effectiveness of this Facebook Group is driven by its participants, not by the administrator/moderator. I am extremely grateful for that!!
The spark that set the Seth Thomas Fan Space on Facebook in motion came from the leadership of two other Facebook horology groups, The Pocket Watch Group and the Pocket Watchman. Many thanks to Nathan Moore, Barry Hignett and their group staffs and memberships for giving this new group its initial breath and a chance at life!!