American pocket watch expert, Fred Hansen, HAD to choose the Rockford serial #1 that we sold this past May 2018 as his favorite watch handled here. It really is the ultimate piece for the Rockford collector, serial number 1 with its original case inscribed to Rockford Watch Co’s first President, Levi Rhoades.
The watch sold for $91,000 this year.
Note the record of the presentation in a March 25, 1876 article, "Mr. J.P. Manny then made a motion that, as the valuable services of the president, Mr. Levi Rhoades, had been rendered gratuitously, he be presented with the No. 1 watch by the stockholders. Mr. Manny accompanied the motion with a few appropriate and happy remarks. Mr. J.S. Ticknor seconded the motion and made some allusions to the distinguished services of Mr. Rhoades. The motion to present was adopted, when the recipient of the ticker responded feelingly. The State of the Enterprise watch is a fine gold one, and valued at $250."