Illinois Pocket Watch Help

[MarginallyLucid]

Hi everyone. I can use your expertise on an old Illinois pocket watch.

The serial number from the watch movement is 4331985

Here are several pictures I hope you will find useful.

One interesting thing to me is that it is not completely round. It is a square/round combo.

Thank you in advance. I look forward to your responses with great anticipation.

[MarginallyLucid]

Picture # 2

[Russ Snyder]

Your watch is a 12-size, 21-jewel, Grade "274" Model "1" pocket watch made in 1923. The Illinois Watch Co. made a total of 58,100 watches in this configuration between 1911 - 1926. The watch is adjusted to run accurately in 3 positions, in varying temperature conditions, and whether wound tight or nearly run down ("isochronism").

The marking "Sterling" on the back of the watch movement is one of many, many "Private Label" markings commonly found on Illinois watches. Some had a particular reference (e.g. "Lincoln", "Santa Fe" or the name of the store which sold it), whereas others, like yours, had names or designations which had little import other than perhaps marketing. The Private Label "Sterling" is fairly common on medium sized Illinois watches such as yours.

Many watches were sold as movements only, and the buyer picked out a case to go with it. Hence, the style of case (round, semi-square or hexagonal) often depended on the buyer's preference. The influence of the Art Deco period in which your watch case was made no doubt influenced the style of the case.

Hope this helps.

Russ

[MarginallyLucid]

WoW! Thank you for your reply. I appreciate the information you provided.

[MarginallyLucid]

Russ,
You did so well assisting me the 1st time through I figured these questions would be a breeze for you.

Is the information you sited available online?

Where can I find a good appraiser in my area? I live an equal distance between Chicago and Milwaukee right along Lake Michigan.

[Russ Snyder]

No, information on the production of Illinois pocket watches is not available online. However, you can get a copy of a database on the Illinois Watch Co. I put together on CD ROM. It's available through Chap. 149 and may be obtained by an email to Jon Hanson at jonontime@aol.com.

I'm afraid someone else who is more familiar with your geographic area will have to put you in touch with a local appraiser. I live about 150 miles south of Chicago in east central Illinois.

Russ