Illinois electric railway watches

[CentreKeystone]

The Illinois Watch Co was located within a vast network of midwestern electric interurban lines. It was therefore natural that it would produce watches needed to keep car schedules. The watches were similar to contemporary railroad watches but with only 17-19 jewels. Production ceased with the rapid decline of the industry in the mid 1920's. Illinois apparently did not advertise these watches and records do not appear to exist. I have managed to collect six different watches and would like to know if there were others.

 

[musicguy]

Really great collection of electric interurban watches!


Rob

 

[John Cote]

What a nice collection. A true collection with a story. I love it.

 

[CentreKeystone]

The only information about Ill elec rr watches I have found is in Meggers and Ehrhardt "American Pocket Watches Illinois Watch Co Encyclopedia & Price Guide." Unfortunately I have to question its accuracy. I have never seen an Elec RR Special 12/14s movement and doubt they were made. I have seen advertised several Interurban specials made for Kay Co.... all have Ill dials. Having been the victim of dial switching I am suspicious of what appear to be several different movements with the same dial. I have attached the relevant portions. The red dots denote my watches.

 

[musicguy]

There are a bunch of 12s that are adjusted to 4 positions and one of the
elgin's is called Transit. I wonder if they tried unsuccessfully to introduce them
into the Electric RR


Rob

 

[CentreKeystone]

That is a thought...I have seen references to electric railway employees using "Transit" watches. City requirements were much looser.

 

[Fred Hansen]

I've always liked the Electric Railroad marked watches and think they make for a great collection.

There are a few others beyond what you posted to look for out there. Here are links to two different ones I had recently, a double-signed hunting case and a dial-only example with script signature and Montgomery numerals ...

ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S RARE HUNTING CASE POCKET WATCH | eBay

Watch is housed in a Wadsworth "Pilot" gold-filled case with very nice engine turning and engraving detail. Front shield of case is engraved with initials. Case has a nice overall in hand look showing light wear of its engine turning and engraving detail.

www.ebay.com

ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S GOTHIC MONTGOMERY POCKET WATCH | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S GOTHIC MONTGOMERY POCKET WATCH at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Besides the above there are I believe a few more additional variations of Electric Railroad Standard dials, and there is also one early double-signed Electric Railroad Standard variant which is quite rare that has a 3/4 plate (rather than 3-finger bridge) Getty Model movement.

 

[CentreKeystone]

I've always liked the Electric Railroad marked watches and think they make for a great collection.

There are a few others beyond what you posted to look for out there. Here are links to two different ones I had recently, a double-signed hunting case and a dial-only example with script signature and Montgomery numerals ...

ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S RARE HUNTING CASE POCKET WATCH | eBay

Watch is housed in a Wadsworth "Pilot" gold-filled case with very nice engine turning and engraving detail. Front shield of case is engraved with initials. Case has a nice overall in hand look showing light wear of its engine turning and engraving detail.

www.ebay.com

ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S GOTHIC MONTGOMERY POCKET WATCH | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S GOTHIC MONTGOMERY POCKET WATCH at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Besides the above there are I believe a few more additional variations of Electric Railroad Standard dials, and there is also one early double-signed Electric Railroad Standard variant which is quite rare that has a 3/4 plate (rather than 3-finger bridge) Getty Model movement.

I've always liked the Electric Railroad marked watches and think they make for a great collection.

There are a few others beyond what you posted to look for out there. Here are links to two different ones I had recently, a double-signed hunting case and a dial-only example with script signature and Montgomery numerals ...

ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S RARE HUNTING CASE POCKET WATCH | eBay

Watch is housed in a Wadsworth "Pilot" gold-filled case with very nice engine turning and engraving detail. Front shield of case is engraved with initials. Case has a nice overall in hand look showing light wear of its engine turning and engraving detail.

www.ebay.com

ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S GOTHIC MONTGOMERY POCKET WATCH | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ILLINOIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD STANDARD 17J 16S GOTHIC MONTGOMERY POCKET WATCH at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Besides the above there are I believe a few more additional variations of Electric Railroad Standard dials, and there is also one early double-signed Electric Railroad Standard variant which is quite rare that has a 3/4 plate (rather than 3-finger bridge) Getty Model movement.

I saw your hunting case watch. Unfortunately it was priced well above my bottom feeding budget. I was also wondering if it was a conversion from the usual open face watch. It does appear that the record I previously posted shows a hunting version.