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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 was crafted in Springfield, Illinois in 1911. The timepiece features the ultra rare 299-grade movement, a 21-jewel in-house movement produced by Illinois from 1905 to 1912 with just 1,110 ever made. When production numbers on American watches drop to around 1,000 or fewer, you are looking at some of the rarest examples ever made. We only work on a select few pieces with such low production. On this movement, components were carefully refinished with blue accents on the screws and hardware using precise, hand-applied thermal treatment—a traditional watchmaking technique that enhances both corrosion resistance and visual appeal (read more here). We also applied this method to the crown and ratchet wheels, creating circular accents of blue. Our proprietary process allows us to selectively color portions of a component, producing incredible contrast. The watch hands were restored using the same thermal coloring to achieve a rich, deep blue. Jewel settings, the gear train, balance, and balance weights were each individually hand-polished to bring back their original golden sheen. The Illinois porcelain-enamel dial features the classic Railroad style with bold Arabic numerals, red minute markers along the perimeter, and a subsecond dial. Simple yet refined, it embodies the clarity and understated elegance of American watchmaking. The restored heat-blued hands stand out beautifully against the white porcelain-enamel dial, providing exceptional contrast.
The timepiece is encased in a 316L stainless steel watch 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 history, the original 14 karat gold filled pocket watch case is included as well.
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: 1911
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (excellent)
Jewels: 21 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
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: 2281631
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.