Pocket Watch Database

Rockford Grade 69

Grade 69 is a 11j Hunting watch maufacturered by Rockford. The size 18s, Model 8 movement features a nickel finish.

Grade 69 Movement Characteristics

  • Size18s
  • Jewels11j
  • ConfigurationHunting
  • FinishNickel
  • Model8
  • SettingLever
  • AdjustedNo

Grade 69 Production Info

  • Total Production16,500
  • Number of Runs18
  • Production Years1887-1894
  • First Serial258,001
  • Last Serial434,500
  • Largest Run1,000
  • Smallest Run500
  • Most Common Run1,000

Research Notes

The Rockford Grade 69 is an 18-Size Model 8 featuring a damaskeened nickel finish with 11 jewels in settings. The standard Grade 69 was fitted with a plain regulator. However, the 1896 A.C. Becken catalog offers the standard Grade 69 and a "Grade 69x" with a patent regulator for a $2.00 premium. By 1899, the Grade 69 was no longer offered in the A.C. Becken catalog.

Early movements feature blackletter style ("Old English") markings while later movements are marked with the modernized chiseled serif style. Coinciding with this style change, the "outboard" regulator arm was moved to an "inboard" position on the balance cock.

The Rockford Serial Lists characterize two runs of the Grade 69 inconsistently. Runs #2 [264,001-265,000] and #18 [434,001-434,500] are listed as featuring 15 Jewels instead of 11 Jewels. This is considered to be an error in the factory records since the trait was noted as a continuation from a previous "15 Jewel" run.

Various private label Grade 69 movements have been recorded.

Associated Grades

66