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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 1921 during the Roaring Twenties. It is powered by the renowned Bunn grade movement, a 19 jewel in house railroad grade caliber produced by the Illinois Watch Company between 1872 and 1926. This specific 19 jewel variant, featuring a jeweled motor barrel, saw a total production of just 14,700 examples. Every movement component has been meticulously refinished, with blue accents applied to the screws, hardware, motor barrel arbor, and motor barrel screws using precise hand applied thermal coloring over an alcohol lamp (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were each individually hand polished to restore their original golden luster. The watch hands remain unrestored and retain their original factory heat plum finish. The Illinois dial is porcelain enamel with bold Arabic numerals in the classic blind man railroad style. A strong minute track with bold triangular markers every five minutes provides immediate clarity, a motif carried into the sub seconds register. The result is a dial engineered for fast, unambiguous time reading and built to meet railroad standards.
The timepiece is housed in an original salesman case that allows the movement to be viewed. These cases were used by watch salesmen to display the movement while protecting it from dust and debris. Most watches sold in the early 1900s were fitted with solid case backs, as glass backs introduced an additional point of failure. These watches were utilitarian instruments, built for reliability rather than luxury, which makes it especially special to come across an original case with a factory see through caseback.
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: Jeweled motor barrel
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Illinois
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1921
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: Base metal
Original Case Included: Yes, salesman case
Serial Number: 3856525
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.