Pocket Watch Database

Rockford Grade 60

Grade 60 is an 11j or 17j watch maufacturered by the Rockford Watch Company. The Model 3 or 7 movement features a either a plain nickel or two-tone finish, and some are marked "Adjusted."

Grade 60 Movement Characteristics

  • Size18s
  • Jewels17j
  • ConfigurationOpenface
  • FinishTwo-Tone
  • Model3 or 7
  • SettingLever
  • AdjustedYes

Grade 60 Production Info

  • Total Production800
  • Number of Runs2
  • Production Years1886-1892
  • First Serial250,501
  • Last Serial404,300
  • Largest Run500
  • Smallest Run300
  • Most Common Run500

Research Notes

The documentation related to the Rockford Grade 60 is fairly ambiguous. Two runs of Grade 60 movements are listed in the official Rockford Serial Lists. The first run, 250,501-251,000, is designated as an Open Face Model 7 with a Nickel Finish and 11 Jewels. The second run, 404,001-404,300 is designated as Open Face Model 7 with a Nickel & Gilt (Two-Tone) Finish and 11 Jewels. Using serial number extrapolation, these two runs are spaced approximately five years apart, fairly unusual for such a low-production grade. Complicating our understanding even further, the 1896 A.C. Becken catalog describes the Rockford Grade 60 as featuring "17 ruby jewels in red gold settings" with a "gold damaskeening on nickel" finish. A cut is displayed with serial #404007 and marked "17 J - Adjusted," representing the second known run of Grade 60 movements and is in conflict with the 11 Jewel designated conveyed by the official serial listing. However, this same illustration is also associated with the listing for the "No. 69x" movement, described as featuring 11 jewels. The 1899 A.C. Becken catalog simplifies the movement description as "17 jewels, nickel gilt, open face, fully adjusted, double sunk dial" and does not include an illustration. Observations in the first run are inconsistent with the serial listing, produced as a Model 3 Hunting movement rather than Model 7 Open Face. While the jewel count is unmarked, the center hole is not jeweled, resulting in a jewel count of 11 or 15. Observations from the second run are consistent with the 1896 and 1899 A.C. Becken catalog descriptions, featuring a two-tone finish and "17 J - Adjusted" markings.

Summary:
[250,501 - 251,000]: Listed as Model 7 OF Nickel 11J, Observed as Model 3 HTG Nickel 11J (Screw-Set, Possibly 15J)
[404, 001 - 404,300]: Listed as Model 7 OF Nickel & Gilt 11J, Observed as Model 7 OF Nickel & Gilt (Two-Tone) Marked "17 J" and "Adjusted." Advertised (1896 and 1899 A.C. Becken) as Model 7 OF Nickel/Gilt 17J Adjusted.

Associated Grades

80