Help with years of productions illinois

[Hugh Patton]

Hi I'm hoping to build some solid way's to date my illinois Pocket watch serial # 2355665 Adjusted 3 pos 17 jewel in a Dueber 14 gold filled Case serial # 11348723 with what looks to be original RET engraved on the back. Sorry didn't get a photo of that but will take one if it will help in the ID. I'm also hoping to find the best methods of dating illinois watches or should I say any Pocket Watches.

I'm currently appling to Jem City for their at home study and hope after completing it to go and attend a watch school full time but as I found out the other day from Kent I have a very long way to go but will help any one when I can. Glade my local Jewerly store pointed me this direction.
Hugh
http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421601311/0.jpg

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421601311/1.jpg

[Hugh Patton]

Hi I'm hoping to build some solid way's to date my illinois Pocket watch serial # 2355665 Adjusted 3 pos 17 jewel in a Dueber 14 gold filled Case serial # 11348723 with what looks to be original RET engraved on the back. Sorry didn't get a photo of that but will take one if it will help in the ID. I'm also hoping to find the best methods of dating illinois watches or should I say any Pocket Watches.

I'm currently appling to Jem City for their at home study and hope after completing it to go and attend a watch school full time but as I found out the other day from Kent I have a very long way to go but will help any one when I can. Glade my local Jewerly store pointed me this direction.
Hugh
http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421601311/0.jpg

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421601311/1.jpg

[Kent]

Hugh:

According to the serial number vs date table in "American Pocket Watches Vol. 2, Illinois Watch Co., Encyclopedia and Price Guide," William Meggers, Jr. & Roy Ehrhardt, Heart of America Press, Kansas City, MO, 1985 (still in print - see Heart of America Press (http://www.hoapress.com)), serial number 2,355,665 was built in about 1912. There are other serial number vs. date tables in other publications and on Internet Web Sites (http://www.oldwatch.com/Illinoisdate.html).

[terry hall]

Using the Illinois CD the watch dates to 1911... and is

a 12 size
17jewel
grade 273
14,905 production in 78 runs

and was made from 1904 to 1923

The Illinois CD is based on the information in Bill Megger's and Roy Ehrhardt's book

The CD is a chapter 149 fun raising project. Contact Jon Hanson for information on obtaining a copy. Jon can be contacted by finding one of his posts and clicking his name to obtain his email address....

[Hugh Patton]

:smile: thanks Terry I think I'll track down his e-mail. Sounds like a good cause and great reffrence Thanks for your reply Hugh

[Hugh Patton]

Just one more question about this watch. Is it worth trying to strip and repaint the hands ? I've searched E-bay and a few supply houses I know of with not luck. I'm trying to restore this one but also keep it as original as possible, so far it is 100% as found by me. The hands are rusty but it only seems to be on the surface. Some one place a plastic crystal on it but never sealed it. Any thought for a new guy :wink: