Illinois grade 415

[Fred Hansen]

Have any of our 12 size collectors studied the Illinois grade 415?

A while back I was looking at the photos of this grade in Russ Snyder's Illinois database and noticed some differences among movements pictured (screwed down vs. friction set balance jewel, winding wheel style, etc.) ... but one thing that all seven grade 415's pictured in Russ's database had in common was an "Illinois Watch Co., Springfield" movement signature.

But here is a link to the completed auction of grade 415 serial #4959948 ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250270335684

... and what stands out is that this movement is signed "Illinois Watch, Springfield". The word "Co." has been dropped from the factory name on this movement. Collectors of late Illinois watches that were produced under Hamilton ownership (grades such as 121, 127, 161, 163, 167, and 169) will recognize this distinction as a change that was made to late Illinois movements and is typical of much of the Hamilton era production.

So it looks like there is a good deal of variation to the Illinois grade 415, and I was surprised to see the different factory signature used on this watch. If anyone has studied these and can share opinions or info on the variants of this grade I would be very interested!

Fred

[Jim Carroll]

Fred,
From the info I have on Grade 415 all have Illinois Watch Co. 415. All were made in 1927 and have broad striped pattern, this looks like Hamilton Watch Co. using up unsold movements, and I have not seen the Illinois Watch printed in the way on any other size 12 movement.
I posted a thread on 415 Grade a while back and have found serial numbers that come outside the known runs, with the Grades 415 and 405 numbers being only one digit different, errors may have been made in the hand written records.

Jim

[Fred Hansen]

Thanks Jim, I had thought that the eBay watch must be kind of unusual being signed this way.

Fred