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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 timepiece, crafted in Springfield, Illinois, was completed in 1923. It features the renowned Grade 405 movement with custom “Banker” branding. The 17-jewel movement was manufactured in-house by Illinois from 1911 to 1929. Every component was carefully restored and refinished in our workshop. The blue accents on the screws and steel hardware were achieved through precise open-flame thermal coloring using traditional watchmaking techniques (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original golden tone that brings a lot of beautiful contrast to the movement. The hands were left unrestored and retain the original heat-blued finish applied by Illinois at the time of manufacture. The metal Illinois dial features an intricate gilt and guilloché pattern at the center and along the perimeter, creating remarkable depth and texture as it catches light from different angles. Bold Arabic numerals follow the classic American railroad-style layout, providing excellent contrast and legibility. Together, the gilt detailing, guilloché finishing, and original heat-blued hands give the dial a dynamic presence that changes beautifully in the light.
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. Because of our dedication to preserving American watchmaking history, this timepiece comes complete with the original case.
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: 1923
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: 4224598
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.