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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 1923, this Illinois timepiece is powered by the rare Duquense-stamped variant of the 406-grade movement. The Duquense designation reflects a limited and distinctive production run, making this an exceptionally scarce piece. This example features cross-hatch damaskeening with wave-like patterns that create a mesmerizing interplay of light and motion. Every component of the movement was meticulously restored in our Little Rock workshop. Each plate, jewel setting, gear, balance, and balance weight was individually hand-polished to restore its original golden brilliance. Great care was taken to preserve the factory-applied cross-hatch finishing, allowing the golden hardware and jewel settings to stand out against the nickel surface. All gold-tone movement accents remain exactly as Illinois applied them over a century ago, preserving the authentic period look. The blued steel hands were restored using traditional methods. They were polished to a mirror finish, then heated over an alcohol lamp to achieve a rich, vibrant blue tone that contrasts beautifully with the dial. The metal Illinois dial features an Art Deco guilloche motif at its center, surrounded by bold Arabic numerals and a precision minute track with strong five-minute indices. This elegant yet functional design speaks to the peak of Illinois craftsmanship during the 1920s.
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.
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: 1923
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
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: 4781575
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.