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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.
The original Illinois metal dial is finished in gilt with an intricate guilloché sunburst pattern. As light moves across the surface, different geometric textures emerge, giving the dial an incredible visual presence. The original heat-blued Illinois hands remain unrestored and provide exceptional contrast against the gilt surface. Bold black Arabic numerals reflect the railroad influence of the period, providing the exceptional legibility for which American railroad watches were known. The timepiece was completed in Springfield, Illinois, in 1925 and is powered by Illinois’ Grade 406 movement. The movement features a striking two-tone finish, combining nickel-finished plates with gilt accents. The result is a beautiful interplay of silver and gold tones throughout the movement. 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 brilliance. Great care was taken to preserve the factory-applied finishing, allowing the gilt hardware and jewel settings to stand out against the nickel surfaces. All gold-tone movement accents remain exactly as Illinois applied them over a century ago, preserving the authentic appearance of the piece. The result is a timepiece that captures both the technical precision and artistic craftsmanship that defined Illinois watchmaking at its peak during the 1920s. While the black PVD case gives this railroad-inspired watch a distinctly sportier character, it never loses sight of what we believe vintage American watchmaking has always been about: elegance and beauty.
The timepiece is housed in our black PVD coated surgical grade 316L stainless steel case. Every component of the case is PVD coated, including the mid case, bezel, caseback, lugs, screws, crown, and clasp, resulting in a deep, uniform finish with exceptional durability and corrosion resistance. The rich dark tone delivers a bold, high contrast aesthetic that allows the dial and movement to stand forward with striking clarity.
The conversion case is 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: 275 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 (PVD coated black)
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm (52 mm with crown)
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 4693556
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.