First Run Springfield / Illinois Watch Co Stuart Serial Number 72

[Nigel Harrison]

Hello,

I thought I would mention my latest watch purchase. It is a first run 'Springfield Watch Co' (Illinois Watch Company) Stuart Grade Model 1. It is a 2 digit serial number, SWCo 72. A very exciting watch.

It is housed in what I would say a near mint fancy 18k hunter case that does look original too me (AWCO manufacturer). The watch also came with a beautiful 120 gram 14k solid fancy watch chain that does look like the same type of age as the watch.

The funny thing was that I purchased the watch not knowing what type of movement was in the watch (the auction house never got back to me on that one), all I knew was that it would have been a four digit serial or below due to the 'Springfield Watch Co' Dial and that there was plenty of gold there. It was pretty much the best case scenario when I finally received the watch and opened up the dust cover.

Does anyone know how many other watches have been sighted in this first run on 100 Stuarts?

When I stop drooling over it I will take some photos and post them up here.

Regards,

Nigel Harrison.

[Fred Hansen]

Awesome find!

I've seen or seen pictures of probably 8 to 10 of the first run Stuarts, including the single digit serials of 3 and 5. I'm sure a number of others I haven't seen are out there tucked away in collections, but understandably they don't surface too often for sale.

I always like to hear of the discoveries of these and am definitely looking forward to the pics.

Fred

[crsides]

Great find.

serial #72 must have been first day production.

[Nigel Harrison]

Hello,

Thanks for the info on how many of these first run watches you have seen Fred, I am sure you are one of the few who have the most comprehensive knowledge on this topic.

Well here are the pictures. All the watch needs is a crystal.

crsides - the watch was not quite a first day production but it was made in the first year. October 1872 to be a bit more exact.

I have added in some photos of the chain as it is such a beauty and so heavy, it is 120 grams 14k without the GF pocket knife. I just can't imagine how much this watch and chain would have cost when purchased new. What are people's opinion about the chain, does it have the styling that it is from the period of the 1870's in the US? The chain is simply stamped 14 on the end loop/catch.

Regards,

Nigel Harrison.

[Nigel Harrison]

Here are the pics. Nigel.

[Nigel Harrison]

One other pic of the chain. BTW I know the key is modern and must have been added, but this is pretty normal.

Regards, Nigel.

[Fred Hansen]

Wow!!! A beauty and thanks for posting!

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

A first run Stuart is what every early Illinois collector hopes for and I can only imagine how good it had to feel to have been hoping for the best and then when the watch came to open the case for the first time and find this in there! I've bought watches without having seen the movement first and ended up having some nice luck with a few ... but definitely nothing nearly as special as this. Congrats!!!

The movement is a beauty, the dial looks great, and the gold case and chain are terrific and just add to the wonderful overall package.

Thanks for posting the great pics here, threads like this are appreciated by many and it is a real treat for the Illinois collectors to see a gem like this.

:)

Fred

[Jon Hanson]

Yes, it is very refreshing to see such a nice early American watch, presumably all original!

[bernie levine]

Here are the pics. Nigel.

Nigel,

A GREAT FIND.!

What a wonderful example of a very early Illinois Stuart watch and
a very beatifull case and chain.
Thanks for posting.

[terry hall]

Speechless !!!

[Nigel Harrison]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

Yes Fred, I was ecstatic when I received and inspected the watch as I had various nice surprises:

1. The condition of the watch case and chain was better than I thought as I purchased the watch based on only 3 pictures which were not the greatest, and you know how you can not quite tell how much fine wear there is on a watch until you receive it. I was very happy with the condition as both the chain and case have close to no wear.

2. The weight of both the watch and chain is just great and exceeded expectations (especially the chain). They are such substantial pieces to hold in your hand.

4. All hinges are super tight and lids close perfectly with no gaps. Bow is still very firm. I was happy to find it was a thick gauge AWCo case.

5. When I popped open the dust cover for the first time I was actually stopped at traffic lights and it was night time (I could not wait to get home, does this sound familiar for anyone?). When I saw that it was a Stuart grade I was extremely happy as I had always wanted a good example of a Stuart, and then when I looked at where the serial number was all I could see is that it was a very short serial number but could not make out the number at first, I got even more excited. It was not until the next set of traffic lights that I could see that it was number 72 and I let out a few cheers :)

I think it will take me a while to better this find, though I do have to say when I am constantly searching for certain watches (Early Illinois) and what I think will take me many years to find some of the rarer ones (at a reasonable price) it always seems to turn out to be much less time.

Lets see how I go finding first runs of Bunn, Miller, Mason etc. I have SN. 565 which is a Mason but it is not quite a first run.

Regards,

Nigel Harrison.