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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 Lookup and Totals

Click on the charts below for more detailed information.

 The watches logged in the Model 24 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 24 Grade Totals (pdf)

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Model 24 SN Table (pdf)

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Model 24 Run Chart (pdf)

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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.

Master Grade Chart

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.

Production Dates and Totals

1913 to 1915

The only known grade assignment was in the 1913 catalog, where the Grades 320 and 322 were labelled as 6-size movements. They were listed along with the 12-size Model 22 and 16-size Model 21, the other two watches making up the Centennial line, which is another reason to think this may be the advertised 4-size watch. Whatever their real size, they were included in the 1914 Supplement, the last known pocket watch catalog at full price, and 50% off in the 1915 Catalog. Private labels and six contract grades were produced along with those marked for the factory.

50,000

Roughly 50,000 were produced in a single uninterrupted run, with all examples falling between SNs 3053000 and 3103000.

Master Block Chart

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.

All photos and data protected by copyright. 


© 2025 - Seth Thomas Research v3.2.18m

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