The Models 15 to 19
1904 to 1913
Models 15 through 19 were all based on the same design with some minor differences, while serial number runs alternated with those of the Model 14. The factory appears to have had both the Models 14 and 15 in production at the same time, which is odd, since both are 6-size hunter lever-set movements. This second design, starting with the M15 and concluding with the M18, was divided into the Eagle and the Century Series, and roughly a half-million were produced in total. Complicating matters further was the 12 x 6 line, which used 12-size dials on 6-size watches.
The Eagle Series Serial Number Blocks
The Model 15
The total production of the Model 15 was around 27,000 pieces in four runs from SN 128,001 up to 160,000. Jewel counts were 7, 11, and 15 in gilt, nickel and two-tone, and all were lever-set with flat hairsprings. Later 6-size models were all based on the Model 15 platform with changes to jewel sizes and the winding and setting mechanism. The Model 15 parts list shared some of those used on the 12 x 6 spread movements.
The Model 16
The Model 16 was made in two separate runs from SN 160,001 up to 200,000 and another one from SN 400,001 to 420,000 for a total of 59,000 movements. Other than some minor changes to the mainspring barrel and arbor they were identical to the Model 15 with the plate finishes and jewel counts of 7 to 15 remaining unchanged.
The Model 17
130,000 movements were produced in two runs from SN 420,001 up to 500,000 and from SN 900,001 up to 950,000. The Model 17 was nearly identical to the M16, but upgraded with Breguet hairsprings and now offered in jewel counts of 7, 11, 12, 15, and 17. The counts of 12 and 17 have been reported in only the Edgemere grade.
The 12 x 6 Spread Movements
These watches first appeared around 1900 and were a Model 15 with a larger 12-size pillar plate, offered in the same three jewel counts in either lever-set hunting or open-face with no seconds bit on the dial. Later versions were based on the Model 18, with a longer setting arm appearing on the parts list. Some publications advertise these movements as pendant-set, despite the fact that neither the 1904 Model 15 or 18 parts lists include no provisions for a pendant-set mechanism. No model designates are known but they were included as part of the Eagle Series with six of their own grade numbers, continuing to the end in the 1913 Centennial Catalog.
The Century Series Serial Number Blocks
The Model 18
The Model 18 was produced in three separate blocks from SN 950,001 up to 1,000,000, from SN 3,250,000 to 3,257,000, and finishing with a final block above SN 4,000,000. They came in both nickel and two-tone, and had 7 jewels, flat hairsprings, solid center pinions, and a separate parts catalog entirely its own. The vast majority of the movements were named grades.
The Model 19*
This assigned grade appears in several of the Ehrhardt volumes and is based on a 7-jewel Model 18 that was equipped with a Breguet hairspring. Production totals so far are evidently confined to a narrow range of a few thousand movements from SN 3,000,000 to 3,004,500.
* This is an assigned model number. The factory designation is not known.
The Banner Watches
The Banner watches were 11-jewel Grade 105 Seth Thomas movements with specially marked dials, though the movements bore the standard markings and patterns. They have been reported in Models 16 and 17 Eagle Series serial number blocks, and were available as a movement or factory cased. It is not known for whom these pieces were made or if they were marketed alongside regular production grades.
The Models 14 to 18 Run Chart
The serial number runs for the models alternated with each other up to SN 1,000,000, which backs up the information in Chris Bailey's 1981 publication. Factory records past this point have not been found, so any blocks beyond SN 1,000,000 are based on reported examples.