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The Model 20*

1908 to 1913

The Model 20 was the firm's only known 0-size movement, measuring just a little over an inch in diameter. ​​​It was a bold move for the factory, with the popularity of wristwatches slowly on the rise but peaking well after World War I. They first arrived in the 1908 catalog, offered in three jewel choices in a stem-set hunting configuration as an uncased movement or as a wristwatch with a factory-supplied leather strap.


*  This is an assigned model number

Grade Lookup and Totals

Click on the charts below for more detailed information.

The watches logged in the Model 20 Serial Number Table are all reported examples or verified from photos.

These charts are for public use and for personal research, not for the Pocket Watch Database to "borrow".

Model 20 Grade Totals (pdf)

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Model 20 SN Table (pdf)

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Model 20 Run Chart (pdf)

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Grade Assignment

There were only three known grades; all nickel-plated and hunting but with different jewel counts. No private labels have been reported.

Conversion Dials

The company offered free conversion dials so that he Model 20 could be used as open-face, either as a carry watch or a wristwatch.

Manufacture Dates and Lookup

1908 to 1913

The Model 20 was made in a single run of some 4,600 movements with all examples between SN 2000001 and 2004800, first appearing in the 1908 catalog and continued in all of the known catalogs until the end of production in 1913, with prices of all the grades doubling by the end of their run.


No company records have survived and all date returns are based on advertising. Type in the serial number to see when yours was made.

The Model 20 Patterns

7-jewel Grade 1

15-jewel Grade 3

17-jewel Grade 9

Unfinished Movements

An unfinished gilt 7-jewel Model 20 has been reported, but with no markings whatsoever. No finished gilt variants have been logged, raising questions about whether this could have been a prototype.


There is no mention of a gilt Model 20 in any of the known catalogs.

The 0-Size Wristwatches

The Model 20 was offered as a wristwatch with a choice of straps or an uncased open-face watch, because none of the period company adverts actually listed a 0-size nickel or gold-filled pocket watch case. The factory wristwatch case was nickel, with a black Morocco or pig skin strap, selling for $14 in 1908. 

Period Ad Cuts

1908

1913

All photos and data protected by copyright. 


© 2025 - Seth Thomas Research v3.2.18k

Seth Thomas Highlights

The rarest regular-production two-tone pattern of all, made in one block of seventy - and then never again.

Other Rare Examples