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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 1922, this Illinois timepiece was manufactured with a two-tone movement. To achieve this finish, the movement was first plated in nickel and then selectively flashed with gilt, producing rich golden tones over the silver base. This was a highly labor-intensive process reserved for select higher-grade movements, and many of these finishes have been damaged over time. This example remains pristine. Even more impressive, the movement still retains its original gold-tone hardware added by Illinois at the time of manufacture, making this a rare example of an original two-tone movement with matching golden accents. In our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas, the plates, jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore the movement’s original brilliance while carefully preserving the factory-applied two-tone finish. On the dial side, this piece features a striking metal dial with an elegant guilloché center. Bold Arabic numerals sit on the outer chapter ring, paired with a clean minute track marked by bold indices every five minutes. The original heat-blued hands remain unrestored and provide exceptional contrast against the dial, completing a dial layout that is both highly legible and visually refined. From top to bottom, this piece is incredible.
The timepiece is cased 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: 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: 4052172
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.