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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.
Powered by Illinois’ Grade 404 movement, this 17-jewel caliber was produced in Springfield, Illinois in 1914—during the World War I era, when Illinois was celebrated for the precision and aesthetic quality of its watchmaking. The movement retains its original striped nickel finish, a hallmark of Illinois craftsmanship that beautifully reflects light across the bridges and plates. Each screw and piece of hardware was thermally blued by hand using traditional watchmaking methods, creating vibrant blue accents throughout (read more here). For this example, even the ratchet and crown wheels were thermally blued, giving the movement extraordinary depth and contrast against the nickel backdrop. The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were each hand-polished to restore their original golden glow, creating exceptional visual contrast within the movement. The metal dial features an intricate guilloché motif at the center with circular concentric engraving, framed by bold black Arabic numerals and a refined minute track with prominent indices every five minutes. A secondary guilloché ring at the edge of the dial encircles the perimeter, adding texture and visual balance. The original heat-blued hands remain untouched, retaining their factory finish and providing a rich visual harmony against the dial.
The timepiece is encased in a 316L stainless steel wristwatch conversion case, designed with adjustable lugs for ease in winding and setting, ensuring a tailored 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 participating in water activities. The timepiece comes fully serviced and ready for your upcoming 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: 1914
Dial Material: Metal (excellent)
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
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: 2664486
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.