Illinois Central, 12s from a chap in Italy.

[Allan C. Purcell]

*****This thread has been split from the Illinois Private Label thread.*******
The Management

Bought this Illinois Central, 12s from a chap in Italy. Bought it Tuesday, arrived today Friday 17th March. I just hope he has more to sell. Came in a really nice PRADA box. Anyway it's a grade 405, has a sunburst at the top, and then demasking that seems to run like chocolate across the plates. The dial is not much to fall in love with, but it is a really good timekeeper. The case was made by I.C. Special 25 years. Who is that, please?
Does anyone know who Illinois Central was? I am in a hurry.

Regards,

Allan.

 

[musicguy]

I would say it's not a private label but a trade name
to sell more watches. It does have a nice two tone
movement.


Rob

 

[Jim Haney]

The oblivious, Illinois Watch Co,made these in 2-Tones also in 16s

Illinois Central Railroad - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Hi, Jim,
Quite correct, they did make them in 12 & 16 sizes, they also made a Grade 406, the same watch but with 19 jewels. Plus they also used this pattern in their wristwatches.

"If you want to invest in watches, buy yourself an Illinois,
They really are the very best, and they give you so much joy"

 

[StanJS]

My Grade 306, 16S, 17J, HC, S/N 2505887 Illinois Central is in post #1058 above.

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Sorry to say your 2505887 is not at post-1058

 

[Jim Haney]

Sorry to say your 2505887 is not at post-1058

Allan,

Look on Page 22 and you will see it ?

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Thank you, Jim,
that is one of the early runs, but very much like mine.

Here is another one, c1914, Run Quantity 1,100. Grade/model Total Production 150,270. So there should be plenty about, or no one has sent their serial numbers to the Database.

 

[179]

Thank you, Jim,
that is one of the early runs, but very much like mine.
View attachment 754473 Here is another one, c1914, Run Quantity 1,100. Grade/model Total Production 150,270. So there should be plenty about, or no one has sent their serial numbers to the Database.

To be correct an I. C. needs to triple marked, dial. movement, and case. I fail to see any I,C. marking on this movement. Seems to be some confusion here.

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

To be correct an I. C. needs to triple-marked, dial. movement, and case. I fail to see any I,C. marking on this movement. Seems to be some confusion here.

Hi 179, in post 1,514, you will see I C Special on the inner cover. This mark is for the case maker. Thanks for your interest.

It could stand for Illinois Central Special.

 

[179]

Hi 179, in post 1,514, you will see I C Special on the inner cover. This mark is for the case maker. Thanks for your interest.

It could stand for Illinois Central Special.

Hi 179, in post 1,514, you will see I C Special on the inner cover. This mark is for the case maker. Thanks for your interest.

It could stand for Illinois Central Special.

There was no Illinois Central case maker, these cases were made by one of the large case makers and supplied to Illinois Watch Co. for their Illinois Central series of watches. AFIK there is no connection between these watches and the Illinois Central Railroad, purely marketing. I think post 1521 is mudding the waters here.

 

[Jim Haney]

Thank you, Jim,
that is one of the early runs, but very much like mine.
View attachment 754473 Here is another one, c1914, Run Quantity 1,100. Grade/model Total Production 150,270. So there should be plenty about, or no one has sent their serial numbers to the Database.

Allen , 179 was commenting on your watch in post 1521, That is not an Illinois Central and also it is not an Illinois Private Label, so it should not be in this thread..

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Jim, 179, I apologise for post-1521, I was trying to point out that it is the same watch, just not a private label. I should have made it clear. It appears to me they used this watch style on thousands of watches, with just a tiny difference, like jewel counts, and size. I also notice many Burlington watches used this too, and probably Sears and other PL watches. Put together it could be the largest style they used.

Allan

 

[musicguy]

*****This thread has been split from the Illinois Private Label thread.*******
The Management

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Thank you, Rob, though you did not need to tell me six times. Plus the " Illinois Central" is thought by many to be a PL. To, me, any watch company that made watches for others, is making a PL. ask yourself who was behind the Illinois Central.

Illinois Central Pocket Watch Info by Illinois Watch Co. for Adolph Enggass Jewelry Co.

Illinois Central was used as a trade name on pocket watch movements manufactured for Adolph Enggass Jewelry Co. by Illinois Watch Co..

pocketwatchdatabase.com

The Term "Private Label"

Modern collectors use the term "private label" to refer to any watch that was manufactured with custom markings or finishing to fulfill a special order. In original advertisements and materials, manufacturers generally offered these "Special Named" movements free of charge and offered specially named dials for a small fee.

From above.

 

[musicguy]

Have you seen this thread
Illinois Central | NAWCC Forums

RE: "though you did not need to tell me six times."

I'm not sure what you are referring to. I only made one
comment in the thread.





Rob

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

I'm not sure what you are referring to. I only made one
comment in the thread.

Yes, I did read that thread, though it was written 15 years ago. Research moves on.

This is on my bell list.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

This is on my bell list.

Rob split off 6 of your posts from the Private Label Research thread. The system generated one alert for each post; thus, you were notified 6 times.

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

ob split off 6 of your posts from the Private Label Research thread. The system generated one alert for each post; thus, you were notified 6 times.

Thank you for the clear explanation, Steven.

Best Wishes,

Allan.