Community Stories

The Illinois Pocketwatch Thread

Canuck
Posts
15,610
Likes
46,514
While the model 2 came from the factory usually in a hunter case (both mine are Hunter cased), this one has been re-cased into what appears to me to be (perhaps) a coin silver case. Sharp! These model 2, grade 4 Railroaders were not railroad approved. One might wonder about the vanity of the engraving on the plate. Being a transitional key wind/stem wind, the owner had a choice as to how he wanted to use it. The subject watch is older than either of my “Railroaders”. Total production according to th pocketwatchdatabase site is 4,500. The decoration on the case back is a great example of the hand engravers art.

I have read that transitional key/stem winders were introduced at a time when stem winding mechanisms were somewhat less than reliable.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/700383
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
Canuck Canuck
While the model 2 came from the factory usually in a hunter case (both mine are Hunter cased), this one has been re-cased into what appears to me to be (perhaps) a coin silver case. Sharp! These model 2, grade 4 Railroaders were not railroad approved. One might wonder about the vanity of the engraving on the plate. Being a transitional key wind/stem wind, the owner had a choice as to how he wanted to use it. The subject watch is older than either of my “Railroaders”. Total production according to th pocketwatchdatabase site is 4,500. The decoration on the case back is a great example of the hand engravers art.

I have read that transitional key/stem winders were introduced at a time when stem winding mechanisms were somewhat less than reliable.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/700383
This one's case is a Philadelphia silverode case. I believe it is die stamped. It is kind of hard to photograph because it is so shiny.
20260108_160056.webp


Both of my Model 2s have been recased in open face case, now my Grade 5 is in a 2oz. coin silver case.
20260108_160131.webp
 
Canuck
Posts
15,610
Likes
46,514
Unless @Waltesefalcon already has one, he now needs an Illinois model 3 which is the model 2 with a fifth pinion, so what was originally a hunter cased movement, was modified so it was oriented properly when fitted to an open face case.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
Today, I'm wearing one that doesn't get worn enough, a 12s Santa Fe Special, Model 1, Grade 274, circa 1920.
20260302_072546.webp 20260302_072652.webp 20260302_072609.webp
 
TexOmega
Posts
8,605
Likes
61,294
Always like a chance to see and exhibit Illinois pocket watches from the 1920's

12s Supreme grade 274 circa 1923
16s Bunn Special circa 1921

IMG_0263.webp IMG_0264.webp IMG_0265.webp IMG_0266.webp
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
One of the things that I really like about Illinois, that your Bunn Special shows off, is the plum colored bluing that many of their hands had.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
I've been wearing my old 15j Model 2, Grade 5 this week. I noticed that it's running slow (approx -3 min/day), so I checked the tag, and the last time it was serviced was 2022. I didn't even realize that I'd owned it that long. I guess it's time to service the old watch again.

20260320_081238.webp 20260320_081304.webp
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
17J Illinois Model 3, Grade Miller, circa 1889. It is housed in a 4 oz coin silver Dueber case. I now have examples of Illinois 18s Models 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.

20260406_104558.webp 20260406_104626.webp 20260406_104648.webp 20260406_104714.webp 20260406_104706.webp
 
Canuck
Posts
15,610
Likes
46,514
Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
I've been wearing my old 15j Model 2, Grade 5 this week. I noticed that it's running slow (approx -3 min/day), so I checked the tag, and the last time it was serviced was 2022. I didn't even realize that I'd owned it that long. I guess it's time to service the old watch again.

20260320_081238.webp 20260320_081304.webp
These old watches with steel hairsprings and steel/brass bi-metallic balance wheels are very prone to becoming magnetized. That can seriously affect accuracy. Have the shop run it through a demagnizer, re-set it, and try it again.
 
Canuck
Posts
15,610
Likes
46,514
Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
17J Illinois Model 3, Grade Miller, circa 1889. It is housed in a 4 oz coin silver Dueber case. I now have examples of Illinois 18s Models 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.

20260406_104558.webp 20260406_104626.webp 20260406_104648.webp 20260406_104714.webp 20260406_104706.webp
Do I detect that the fifth pinion (carries the seconds hand) on your model 3 is jewelled? I have a model 3, and the fifth pinion is not jewelled! The picture of my model 3 shows arrow E pointing at the fifth pinion which is NOT jewelled on mine. The E arrow is next to the D arrow. First time I’ve seen a jewelled fifth pinion. Very nice!

Compare the seconds bit on the model 2 above, with the seconds bit on the model 3 (fifth pinion model), above. The seconds bit on the model 3 is noticeably further inward from the minutes chapter ring than is the seconds bit on the model 2.

1775497968989.webp
Edited:
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
Canuck Canuck
These old watches with steel hairsprings and steel/brass bi-metallic balance wheels are very prone to becoming magnetized. That can seriously affect accuracy. Have the shop run it through a demagnizer, re-set it, and try it again.
That's a really good point, thanks. I'll get it on the bench soon and try that first.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
Canuck Canuck
Do I detect that the fifth pinion (carries the seconds hand) on your model 3 is jewelled? I have a model 3, and the fifth pinion is not jewelled! The picture of my model 3 shows arrow E pointing at the fifth pinion which is NOT jewelled on mine. The E arrow is next to the D arrow. First time I’ve seen a jewelled fifth pinion. Very nice!

Compare the seconds bit on the model 2 above, with the seconds bit on the model 3 (fifth pinion model), above. The seconds bit on the model 3 is noticeably further inward from the minutes chapter ring than is the seconds bit on the model 2.

1775497968989.webp
It is jeweled! I also haven't seen a jeweled fifth pinion before, but my experience with 19th century Illinois only goes back a few years, so I didn't think anything of it.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
@Canuck After running it through the demagnitizer a few times the Model 2, Grade 5 is still losing close to three minutes a day. I figure it is just starting to get close to needing a service. I did set the regulator a touch fast today and we'll see where it is tomorrow.
 
Canuck
Posts
15,610
Likes
46,514
Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
@Canuck After running it through the demagnitizer a few times the Model 2, Grade 5 is still losing close to three minutes a day. I figure it is just starting to get close to needing a service. I did set the regulator a touch fast today and we'll see where it is tomorrow.
I’m astonished that it is out 3 mins daily, considering it was serviced to 2022! At least we now know that magnetism is not likely the problem.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
Canuck Canuck
I’m astonished that it is out 3 mins daily, considering it was serviced to 2022! At least we now know that magnetism is not likely the problem.
What is even more boggling is that I had it running to within +2 or +3 secs/day when it was first serviced.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
I'm doing some work on my mom's pickup today, so I'm wearing my 1888, Illinois, Model 2, Grade 2. I bought this watch last year right before the price of silver exploded. It was in a plain 4 oz coin silver hunting case that I thought my Model 2, Grade 4 "Railroader" would look handsome in. This watch was also advertised as "serviced" so, it didn't get much attention, and I got it for about $100. It is a clean mov't and does keep pretty decent time, so I think it likely was serviced. Now, it's in this well worn scepter case and is my current "beater." It's old hunting case is sitting in my case box awating me to hurry up and service that "Railroader."

20260502_070858.webp 20260502_071130.webp 20260502_071012.webp
 
Canuck
Posts
15,610
Likes
46,514
Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
I'm doing some work on my mom's pickup today, so I'm wearing my 1888, Illinois, Model 2, Grade 2. I bought this watch last year right before the price of silver exploded. It was in a plain 4 oz coin silver hunting case that I thought my Model 2, Grade 4 "Railroader" would look handsome in. This watch was also advertised as "serviced" so, it didn't get much attention, and I got it for about $100. It is a clean mov't and does keep pretty decent time, so I think it likely was serviced. Now, it's in this well worn scepter case and is my current "beater." It's old hunting case is sitting in my case box awating me to hurry up and service that "Railroader."

20260502_070858.webp 20260502_071130.webp 20260502_071012.webp
Speaking personally, I don’t have a watch I would wear while working on a vehicle. To me, a beater is a watch I might wear on a camping trip. And that “beater” would never be a pocket watch. But then, that’s me.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
4,084
Likes
11,608
Canuck Canuck
Speaking personally, I don’t have a watch I would wear while working on a vehicle. To me, a beater is a watch I might wear on a camping trip. And that “beater” would never be a pocket watch. But then, that’s me.
I appreciate the sentiment, and my father would have agreed with you. He was a GM master mechanic who wore his granddad's Illinois for years until he broke the crystal leaning over the fender of a 55 Pontiac, I believe. At which point, he just ceased to wear a watch altogether. Obviously a wrist watch is a hazard to wear while doing mechanic work, and I do like to wear a watch. When I work on something large enough that I need to lean against a fender with my body weight I do not wear a watch at all. When working on something smaller, like my mom's Sonoma, I just wear my beater (which I also wear for things like camping and hiking, but never fishing since that is usually in my canoe).
 
pdxleaf
Posts
6,293
Likes
21,465
Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
When I work on something large enough that I need to lean against a fender with my body weight I do not wear a watch at all.

I got a mental image of you wearing a bow tie working under the hood because it's safer than wearing a dangling tie.
 
6 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

tennjed

The Illinois collection grows

tennjed Other Watch Brands Forum
Canuck
Canuck
Posts
16
Views
2K
140dave

Illinois Bunn Special "Fat Boy" Pocket Watch Railroad

140dave Private Watch Sales
agee
agee
Posts
2
Views
7K
illition

Advice on this Illinois Pocket watch?

illition Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Canuck
Canuck
Posts
20
Views
3K