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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.
This Illinois timepiece was completed in Springfield, Illinois in 1925. It is powered by the renowned Grade 274, a 21 jewel in house movement produced by Illinois between 1911 and 1926. The movement was fully restored and serviced in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop. The plates were hand polished to remove surface oxidation while carefully preserving the original golden movement accents applied by Illinois at the time of manufacture. The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original golden tone. Crisp striped damaskeening flows across the plates in clean linear patterns, creating remarkable visual depth. The original hands were polished to a mirror finish to remove corrosion, then thermally blued by hand over an alcohol lamp to achieve a deep iridescent blue hue (read more here). This traditional method mirrors the same process Illinois used at the factory to color hands and steel components. The original Illinois metal dial features a striped pattern that echoes the movement beneath it. Over the past century, a distinctive patina has developed within the recessed portions of the stripes, adding texture and character without compromising clarity. In the light, the dial becomes incredibly dynamic, offering depth and dimension. The rich blue hands contrast beautifully against the patterned surface, giving the watch a clean, balanced, and highly legible presence.
The timepiece is encased in a 316L stainless steel watch 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: 1925
Dial Material: Metal
Jewels: 21 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: 4686343
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.