The Model 1 was the company's first watch, offered to the public in 1885. It was an 11-jewel gilt 18-size lever-set movement, able to fit into standard cases of the day. Herman Reinecke, who was master watchmaker by 1884, designed it and was awarded two patents in 1885 for separate components under the dial. ​Even though quick gear trains were becoming standard, Reinecke chose to make the Model 1 a slow train at 16,200 beats-per-hour. The overall plate layout was a good one, continuing with minor changes on nearly all the subsequent models. 

The Model 1 was blocked from SN 1 to 10,900 in a single continuous run with no known interruptions. The earliest 11-jewel variant was designated Grade 44 at the factory and was the most common, making up roughly two-thirds of total production. All were lever-set and the regulators were simple inboard ones at the start, with micro-regulators appearing later at around SN 6,800 with the introduction of the first higher grades . Private labels have been reported.  

The Model 1 started production in 1885, and though the company was already working on designs for additional models the Grade 44 was the only watch being turned out for at least a couple of years until the higher grades of the Model 3 were ready to launch in 1888.