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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.
The original Burlington porcelain-enamel dial is in excellent condition. The dial is executed in the classic railroad style, with bold, oversized Arabic numerals, an outer minute track with prominent indices at five-minute intervals, and a recessed sub-seconds dial. It is simply breathtaking and showcases the exceptional legibility and sharply defined details for which American railroad dials are known. To improve clarity and restore their original appearance, the Breguet-style hands were mirror polished to remove corrosion, then individually thermally colored using the same traditional method employed by watchmakers of the period. The process imparts an iridescent blue hue that pairs exceptionally well with the bright white porcelain enamel. Taken together, the dial side is effortlessly engaging and exceptionally easy to read. Beneath the dial sits Burlington’s Grade 275, a 21-jewel movement produced between 1913 and 1929 in collaboration with the Illinois Watch Company. The movement was fully restored and refinished in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop. All screws and steel hardware were thermally colored using slow, controlled heat to achieve deep blue accents (read more here). The jewel settings, balance, balance weights, and gear train were individually restored to their original golden tone, while the plates were brought back to a crisp silver finish without disturbing the original factory damaskeening. The combination of a spectacular railroad dial and a pristine Burlington movement makes this an exceptional piece from every angle—and a standout on the wrist.
The watch is housed in our Heritage Bronze conversion case, designed for collectors who appreciate a case that evolves over time. Machined from solid bronze, the case starts with warm golden tones but develops a rich patina as it ages, creating a surface unique to the wearer. From the coined-finish bezel to the lugs, screws, and crown, nearly every surface will take on its own patina, ensuring no two cases 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: 315 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Sub second hands
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Burlington (Chicago, Illinois)
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1925
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (excellent)
Jewels: 21 jewels
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire
Case Material: Heritage Bronze (will patina)
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm, adjusts to wrist size
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 4621641
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.