36 mm Burlington Special from 1911 with Original Plum Hands

$3,900.00

This timepiece is a pocket watch conversion, and the movement can be seen through the caseback. The timepiece features 15 jewels, a porcelain-enamel dial, and original plum hands.

This piece is in our 36 mm conversion case, learn more about case size and profile.

*Every detail—from servicing, restoring, repairing and casing—is completed in our shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA*

This timepiece is a pocket watch conversion, and the movement can be seen through the caseback. The timepiece features 15 jewels, a porcelain-enamel dial, and original plum hands.

This piece is in our 36 mm conversion case, learn more about case size and profile.

*Every detail—from servicing, restoring, repairing and casing—is completed in our shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA*

The Burlington Watch Co. was a subsidiary of the Illinois Watch Co., which was in operation from 1869-1948 and produced some of the best railroad-grade movements ever manufactured. Burlington watches were produced by Illinois in their factory in Springfield, Illinois and the company was headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

American conversions can now be compact, low profile, and genuinely dress oriented. At just 36 mm, this piece carries the styling and proportions of a modern dress watch while preserving the character of a vintage American movement. The porcelain-enamel dial features elegant curved numerals, an iconic design language perfected by Burlington. The hands are original and retain their heat-plum finish applied by Burlington at the time of manufacture. This 1911 Burlington is powered by the Grade 37, a movement produced between 1905 and 1916 during the early 1900s. The grade is known for its crosshatch damaskeening and micrometer regulator. Every movement component was carefully restored by hand. Screws and steel hardware were thermally blued using traditional methods to improve corrosion resistance while adding depth and contrast (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original golden tone. Altogether, this is a thoughtfully restored example of early 1900s Burlington watchmaking that pairs an elegant dial with period-correct finishing and careful handwork throughout.

Housed in our 36 mm conversion case, this timepiece is designed to preserve the elegance of its vintage aesthetic while offering the refined proportions of a modern dress watch. Crafted from surgical-grade 316L stainless steel, the case features both caseback and crown gaskets for enhanced durability and water resistance up to 50 meters (though we recommend removing the watch before water activities). At just 36 mm across with a slim profile, the case wears compact, elegant, and exceptionally comfortable on the wrist. Every piece is fully serviced, meticulously tested, and built for reliable everyday wear.

Watch Performance

  • Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day

  • Amplitude: 295 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: Burlington (Chicago, Illinois)

  • Location: Springfield, Illinois

  • Year Manufactured: 1911

  • Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel

  • Jewels: 15 jewels

  • Case Diameter: 36 mm

  • Front Crystal: Domed sapphire

  • Back Crystal: Flat sapphire

  • Case Material: 316L stainless

  • Lug width: 20 mm

  • Lug to Lug: 44 mm

  • Height: 10 mm

  • Serial Number: 2329892

  • Water Resistance: 50 meters

  • Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty

All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.