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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.
This Burlington timepiece was crafted in Springfield, Illinois and completed in 1921. It houses a 21-jewel movement produced between 1913 and 1929 in collaboration with the Illinois Watch Company. The movement is in excellent condition and has been meticulously refinished, featuring vivid blue accents achieved through traditional thermal-heating techniques (read more here). The hands were restored using the same thermal treatment process. Every detail of the movement has been restored with care: the jewel settings, balance, balance weights, and gear train have been returned to their original golden hue, while the plates have been carefully brought back to a crisp silver finish. The porcelain-enamel dial is exceptional, showcasing bold numerals and a full minute track around the perimeter. Its clean, elegant layout exemplifies the easy legibility of American railroad dials—a requirement for service on the rails—while the deep blue hands provide a striking contrast against the white enamel background.
The timepiece is presented in our custom cut 316L stainless steel conversion case, crafted with adjustable lugs for effortless winding and setting while ensuring a comfortable fit across a range of wrist sizes. The case features front, back, and crown gaskets to provide water resistance up to 50 meters, though we recommend removing the watch before water activities. Fully serviced and meticulously inspected, this watch is ready for years of reliable wear and your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 275 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: 1921
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: 316L stainless
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm, adjusts to wrist size
Height: 13 mm
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: 3975400
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.