Image 1 of 21
Image 2 of 21
Image 3 of 21
Image 4 of 21
Image 5 of 21
Image 6 of 21
Image 7 of 21
Image 8 of 21
Image 9 of 21
Image 10 of 21
Image 11 of 21
Image 12 of 21
Image 13 of 21
Image 14 of 21
Image 15 of 21
Image 16 of 21
Image 17 of 21
Image 18 of 21
Image 19 of 21
Image 20 of 21
Image 21 of 21
Illinois Watch Co. was in operation from 1869-1948 and produced some of the most renowned railroad-grade movements ever manufactured. Watches were produced in their factory in Springfield, Illinois.
Completed in Springfield, Illinois in 1922, this Illinois timepiece features a remarkable original metal dial that combines intricate guilloché finishing with raised golden Arabic numerals. The finely textured guilloché center catches the light from different angles, creating a dynamic appearance that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding relief numerals. A railroad-style minute track with bold five-minute indices completes the design, providing exceptional clarity and legibility. The original heat-blued hands have been left unrestored, preserving their original character while providing striking contrast against the metal dial. Beneath the dial is Illinois' Grade 406, a movement produced from 1913 to 1922, making this example one of the last produced. The movement features beautiful striped damaskeening complemented by original golden hardware and jewel chatons that catch the light as the watch moves. Every component was carefully restored in our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas. Each plate, jewel chaton, gear, balance, and balance weight was individually hand polished to restore its original brilliance. Great care was taken to preserve the factory-applied striped finishing, allowing the golden hardware and jewel chatons to stand out against the nickel-plated surfaces. All gold-tone movement accents remain exactly as Illinois originally applied them over a century ago, preserving the authentic period appearance. The result is a timepiece that brings together exceptional dial artistry, mechanical craftsmanship, and decorative finishing that defined American watchmaking in the early 20th century.
The timepiece is encased in our 316L stainless steel conversion case, designed with adjustable lugs for easy winding and setting, ensuring a comfortable fit across various wrist sizes. The case includes front, back, and crown gaskets, providing water resistance up to 50 meters, though it is recommended to remove the watch before engaging in water activities. The timepiece comes fully serviced and ready for your future adventures.
Because of our dedication to preserving American watchmaking history, this piece comes complete with its original 14 karat gold filled pocket watch case.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Sub second hand
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Illinois
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1922
Dial Material: Metal (guilloche)
Jewels: 19 jewels
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm (52 mm with crown)
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 3998001
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
Original Case: Yes, 14 karat gold filled
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.