Ball-Illinois Commercial Standard from 1926 with New Heritage Bronze Case
This timepiece is a pocket watch conversion, and the movement can be seen through the caseback. The timepiece features 19 jewels, a stunning guilloche dial, and our new Heritage Bronze Case.
This piece is in our 44 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 19 jewels, a stunning guilloche dial, and our new Heritage Bronze Case.
This piece is in our 44 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 19 jewels, a stunning guilloche dial, and our new Heritage Bronze Case.
This piece is in our 44 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 Ball Watch Company was founded by Webb C. Ball, who established the specifications for railroad grade movements. The Ball Watch Company purchased movements from top pocket watch brands and further worked on the watches to perfect them.
This Ball-Illinois timepiece was manufactured in partnership with the Illinois Watch Company and completed in 1926. It is powered by the Commercial Standard movement—an overhauled Illinois design perfected by the Ball Watch Company, with only 8,000 ever produced and they are getting harder and harder to find. Every movement component has been meticulously refinished, featuring elegant blue accents on the screws and hardware, achieved through precise open-flame thermal coloring using traditional watchmaking techniques (read more here). The watch hands were not restored and remain in their original heat blued color. The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were each individually hand-polished to restore their original golden luster and sheen. The Ball dial features a guilloché motif that radiates from the center, while the textured perimeter is simply stunning. The original heat blued hands provide exceptional contrast against the dial and have aged beautifully alongside it.
The timepiece is housed in our new heritage bronze conversion case. Designed for those who appreciate the character that only age and wear can create, this case is made from solid bronze. Each case begins its journey with warm, golden tones. But the true beauty emerges with time. As you wear it, the metal naturally oxidizes, forming a rich patina. The lugs, coined-finish case, bezels, screws, and crown are all solid bronze, which means nearly every surface will age beautifully and develop a character all its own. No two cases will ever age the same.
The case is designed with adjustable lugs for easy winding and setting, while ensuring a comfortable fit across various wrist sizes. The case includes front, back, and crown gaskets for water resistance up to 50 meters; however, we recommend removing the watch before engaging in water activities. The timepiece comes fully serviced and ready for your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Sub second hand
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Ball Watch Company
Partnership: Illinois Watch Company
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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: Bronze (will patina)
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm (52 mm with crown)
Height: 13 mm
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: B401280
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.