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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 produced as a private label for the Sigler Brothers, a jewelry firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. The movement is stamped “Relgis”—Sigler spelled backwards—a clever hallmark used by Illinois when producing pieces specifically for this jeweler. Sigler Brothers operated during the early twentieth century and were known for producing and retailing fine jewelry and watches, often marking their pieces with the Sigler Bros. Co. name. The porcelain enamel dial is in excellent condition and follows the classic railroad style, with crisp Arabic numerals and a clean outer minute track designed for clear legibility. The hands were mirror polished to remove corrosion and then thermally blued over an alcohol lamp, imparting a deep blue tone. The result is striking contrast against the white dial and a watch face that immediately draws the eye. Inside is the Illinois Relgis, a 19 jewel movement produced in Springfield, Illinois between 1913 and 1926, with only a small number of examples carrying the Relgis designation. This movement retains its original damaskeening, with engine turned patterns that shift beautifully as light moves across the plates. In our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas, every plate, jewel setting, gear train, balance, and balance weight was individually hand polished to restore the movement’s original golden brilliance while carefully preserving the factory applied striping. The gold tone hardware remains exactly as Illinois finished it more than a century ago, maintaining a true period correct appearance.
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: Porcelain-enamel (excellent)
Jewels: 19 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: 4014830
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.