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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 1923 and features an original metal dial with an intricate guilloché pattern at its center. Bold Arabic numerals line the perimeter, complemented by a clearly defined railroad minute track with prominent markers at five-minute intervals. The influence of American railroad watch design is unmistakable, with an emphasis on clarity, precision, and legibility. The original heat-blued hands provide striking contrast against the metal dial, bringing together color, texture, and traditional American watchmaking in a way that feels unmistakably Illinois.
Beneath the dial is the Penn Special, Illinois Grade 274, a 21-jewel, in-house movement with private-label branding. The movement was fully serviced and restored in our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas. Each plate was carefully hand polished to remove surface oxidation while preserving the original golden accents applied by Illinois at the time of manufacture. The jewel chatons, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original warm, golden tone. Across the plates, crisp damaskeening runs in a sunburst-like pattern creating depth and contrast as light moves across the movement.
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: 1923
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
Serial Number: 4353610
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.