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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.
Completed in Springfield, Illinois, in 1925, this Illinois timepiece is powered by the rare Aristocrat variant of the Grade 406 movement. The Aristocrat designation reflects a limited and distinctive production run, making this an exceptionally scarce example. The movement features web-like damaskeening with circular wave patterns that create a mesmerizing interplay of light and motion, resembling the geometry of a spider's web. Every component of the movement was meticulously restored in our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas. Each plate, jewel setting, gear, balance, and balance weight was individually hand polished to restore its original golden brilliance. Great care was taken to preserve the factory-applied finishing, allowing the golden hardware and jewel settings to stand out against the nickel surface. All gold-tone movement accents remain exactly as Illinois applied them over a century ago, preserving the authentic appearance of the piece. The porcelain-enamel railroad dial is in excellent condition and features bold Arabic numerals with a minute track accented by prominent markers every five minutes. The recessed seconds subdial is further distinguished by inverted triangle markers at five-minute intervals. The result is a dial that is exceptionally legible, clear, and purpose-built for railroad service. The original Breguet hands were carefully polished to remove corrosion and then thermally colored over an alcohol lamp to achieve a deep blue finish. This is the same traditional process Illinois used at the time of manufacture. The result is a timepiece that captures both the technical precision and artistic craftsmanship that defined Illinois watchmaking at its peak during the 1920s.
The timepiece is encased in our 316L stainless steel 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: 305 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: 1925
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
Jewels: 19 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: 4614805
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.