Code: 4.138
This is an 18 size 17 Jewel Railroad grade pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Co. The watch comes in a sterling silver case with an unusual gold inlay motif on the back. I have actively purchased many of these gold inlay cased watches over the last 30 years I have been in dealing with watches and this is the first example I have seen of this case.
Movement – the full plate nickel movement is decorated with damascening and has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator. The movement is signed “Illinois Watch Co, Springfield, 17 Jewels” # 1427111 and is in 95% mint condition
Case – the movement comes in a large Sterling silver watch case signed “Illinois Watch Case”. The case has a screw off bezel. You then extend the winder, which releases the movement and the movement can swing out of the case in a hinged metal support. The back of the case is decorated with a gold inlay horse shoe and two horses and jockeys taking a jump. The bezel has milled edges. The rest of the case has a smooth plain finish and is in 90% mint condition – there are three soft bruises on the side and light loss of definition on the gold inlay. Due to this case being quite rounded and shiny, taking images was quite difficult. I have supplied many images and you need to look past the reflections to see what a lovely case this is
Dial – the white enamel dial is double sunk and has a pair of blue steel Breguet type hands. The dial is signed “Illinois Watch Co” and is in 99% mint condition
The watch has a bevelled mineral glass
The watch is stem wound / lever set
The watch measures 57mm wide x 19mm deep.
