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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.
This Illinois from 1922 comes complete with its original box and papers. It is exceptionally rare for us to come across a timepiece with its original box and paperwork, particularly with serial numbers matching the movement more than a century after its original purchase. Most original boxes and paperwork have not survived over the past century. The original Illinois dial features an intricate guilloché center finished in gilt. The finely detailed pattern reflects light differently depending on the viewing angle, giving the dial a constantly changing appearance. The original heat-blued kite hands provide exceptional contrast against the dial, with their rich blue hue complementing the warm gilt center. Bold Arabic numerals are rendered in the classic American railroad style, surrounded by a clean outer minute track with bold markers at five-minute intervals.
Beneath the dial is Illinois’ Autocrat, a 17-jewel in-house movement manufactured in Springfield, Illinois, in 1922. Every component of the movement was carefully restored by hand. The screws and steel hardware were thermally blued using traditional watchmaking techniques 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. Together, these details create a singular example of Illinois design and craftsmanship—thoughtfully restored and ready for a new century of wear.
This Illinois timepiece is housed in our precision-engineered 316L stainless steel conversion case, built for both durability and comfort. Adjustable lugs allow effortless winding and setting while tailoring the fit to a wide range of wrist sizes. Front, back, and crown gaskets provide water resistance up to 50 meters (though we recommend removing the watch before water activities). Fully serviced and tested, this piece is ready to be worn and enjoyed for years to come.
The original Illinois presentation box and accompanying paperwork have also been preserved. The original guarantee identifies the watch as an Autocrat, lists its movement serial number, and notes its special dial and original price. The matching serial number provides a direct connection between the timepiece and its original documentation, an exceptionally rare find more than a century after manufacture.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 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: 1922
Dial Material: Metal (guilloche)
Jewels: 17 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: 4153171
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.