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The Model 24*
1913 to 1915
The 4-size watches are noted from several sources, including the 1913 Trade List and Chris Bailey's interview with Wesley Billings, a worker at the factory from 1911 onward. There is no known model number, but they were offered in two grades as part of the Centennial line.
* This is an assigned model number
Grade Assignment
The Model 24 consisted of mostly marked Seth Thomas and Centennial pieces, along with a half-dozen contract grades in two jewel counts. As always, the factory considered two-tone and nickel to be the same. No gilt examples have been reported, but private labels have turned up.
The Centennial Grade
According to both the 1913 catalog and the Wes Billings interview, the Centennial Series was made in only the three sizes of 4, 12, and 16, with no mention of any 6-size watches. Either the company was marketing the 6-size Model 24 as a 4-size watch in a very small factory case, or there really is a 4-size model, which hasn't been reported yet.
The Problem
The problem is that this open-face pendant-set model measures 34.65 mm in diameter, which is a standard 6-size movement. Billings stated that at the time there were a total of 23 models, which have all been accounted for, so if a true 33.0 mm 4-size was indeed manufactured then none have been reported yet. It's also very unlikely that the company would tool up to make a third 6-size model, so the simpler explanation is that they continued production of an open-face variant of the Model 18, sold in snug factory cases and marketed specifically as a 4-size watch for ladies and girls.
The Model 24 Contract Grades
Adonis
Knickerbocker
Century
7-jewel nickel Grade 320
3,400 produced in 3 runs
Century
Knickerbocker
Century
7-jewel nickel Grade 320
1,400 produced in 1 run
Knickerbocker
Knickerbocker
Knickerbocker
7-jewel nickel Grade 320
7,400 produced in 4 runs
Lake Shore
Lake Shore
Knickerbocker
15-jewel nickel Grade 322
1,000 produced in two runs
Republic
Lake Shore
Republic
7-jewel two-tone Grade 320
4,300 produced in 5 runs
Republic
Lake Shore
Republic
15-jewel nickel Grade 322
100 produced in one run
Waldorf
Waldorf
Waldorf
15-jewel nickel Grade 322
1,700 produced in two runs
The 4-Size Wristwatches
In addition to the 0-size hunting Model 20, the company offered a larger 4-size wristwatch, and the only known ad cut (repeated in several trade catalogs) shows a configuration of a pendant-set open-face watch, presumably the Model 24, which has already been established as a 6-size watch.
Why Seth Thomas chose to carry a second wristwatch with the clumsy arrangement of the stem at the 12:00 position is not clear with the movement rotated in the frame, but given the difference of 5 millimeters between this watch and a 0-size it's no wonder the ad text includes the disclaimer that the 4-size case was "a trifle larger".
Period Ad Cuts
1913
The Centennial catalog.
1914
The 1914 Catalog offered all three Centennial models ("4", 12, and 16-size) as complete watches in several choices of cases.
1915
1915
The 1915 catalog insert pertaining to leftover Centennial stock, courtesy of the Smithsonian Museum of American History Library.
Seth Thomas Highlights
The rarest regular-production two-tone pattern of all, made in one block of seventy - and then never again.