1916 Rare Illinois Trench/ WW1 watch 11 Jewel, Cushion Case

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$883.00

• Details
  What a treat. What a rare combination that I am offering. How about a 1915 3/0 a Illinois, 11 Jewels in a cushion white gold filled case. Only 300 were made in 1915, and only a total of 5,900 for its entire production run. That is a very small run.
  
  Hardly any American watch company can compare to the Illinois Watch Company. Their movements were truly a work of art, yet produced to exacting specifications. Beautiful damaskeened patterns and raised gold jewel settings combined with solid gold gear trains all contributed to the finest watches made. The solid gold gear train, to the 17 ruby jewels, some are set in solid 14 karat gold chatons. It is a treasure and represents America at its best during a time that was arguably called one of our greatest times periods, the Art Deco period.
  
  Most Illinois collectors agree there are four basic "periods" of watch production. The first period from the 1910s to the early '20s. Most of these are converted pocketwatch movements. Gent's military and military-style specimens are seen, often featuring porcelain dials.
  
  The second period -- from the early to mid 1920s -- includes movements and dials which were sold to be cased by individual jewelers. These were mostly 6/0-size movements with 6:00 or 9:00 subsidiary seconds. Some were also cased at the factory using generic cases from a variety of sources. Some of the better-known models from that latter category include the Stephen, Canby, Bennett, Cushion, and Barrel. Also, 3/0-size movements were cased at the factory in this way -- the Champion, Special, Maxine, Ronald, Pilot, Aviator, and Prince, for example.
  
  In the late '20s, Illinois began commissioning its own unique wrist watch cases. The company cased and boxed its watches at the factory, marking the beginning of what many collectors consider the company's golden era. Models include the Piccadilly, Marquis, Chieftain, Ritz, New Yorker and Manhattan (the New Yorker has subsidiary seconds at 9:00; the Manhattan at 6:00), the Beau series (Beau Monde, Beau Geste, Beau Brummel, and Beau Royale), the Ensign, and the 14kt sold gold Council (also known as the Consul).
  
  
  The fourth period begins in the early ‘30s, and is characterized by the Streamline Moderne influence on the styling of the cases. Many of these watches featured a new 207 movement, 12/0-size with 17 jewels (of which only 40,000 were made) and include such sleek designs as the Futura, Chesterfield, Wentworth, Andover, and the 14kt Rockliffe.
  
  
  I have been collecting WW1 trench watches for years and it is rare that you would see this combination together. A 3/0 1915 Trench/ WW1 Illinois watch in a high polished “Cushion” styled case. Stop and think a minute. This watch offering us 109 years old!
  
  
  
  The Illinois Watch Case Company was another major manufacture in the city of Elgin Illinois. It had many brand names that it used on its watch cases, such as "Elgin Giant", "Elgin Pride", "Tivoli", "Spartan", and "Elgin Commander". Later on, IWCCo also started the "Elgin American" line of lady's compacts and cigarette cases. The use of the name "Elgin" in their brand names, or marking the cases with "Elgin USA" has often lead people to believe that a watch was made by the Elgin National Watch Company when it was made by someone else, or to think that another brand of watch no longer has its original case because it is "now in an Elgin case."
  
  
  The Elgin National Watch Company and the Illinois Watch Case Company are not sister companies, they didn't even always get along very well. In fact, they even went to the point of suing each other all the way to the Supreme Court. About 50 years later, when watch companies started selling cased watches, ENWCo went out and bought the Wadsworth Watch Case Company of Kentucky, even though it might have made more sense to buy the IWCCo, which was just down the street. The case measures the following:
  
  
  31.50 MM Across without the crown
  
  
  14 MM Fixed Lugs
  
  
  10.70 MM Deep
  
  
  The movement has just been through a comprehensive cleaning and adjustment. What was done?
  
  
  Cleaned the hair spring
  
  
  Oiled the movement
  
  
  New white alloy mainspring
  
  
  Complete service
  
  
  New Crystal
  
  
  I had the dial and hands professionally refinished back to their original look. It brings the best out in the watch.
  
  
  The movement has the following specifications:
  
  
  Grade: 21
  
  
  Manufacturer: Illinois
  
  
  Manufacturer Location: Springfield, Illinois
  
  
  Movement Serial Number: 2871107
  
  
  Grade: 21
  
  
  Model: 4
  
  
  Estimated Production Year: 1915
  
  
  Run Quantity: 300
  
  
  Grade/Model Run: 20 of 35
  
  
  Grade/Model Total Production: 5,990
  
  
  Size: 3/0s
  
  
  Jewels: 11 Jewel
  
  
  Movement Configuration: Hunting
  
  
  Movement Finish: Nickel
  
  
  Movement Setting: Pendant
  
  
  Plate: Bridge Plate
  
  
  Bridge Type: False Center
  
  
  Railroad Grade: No
  
  
  Dial Feet Locations: 19.0, 38.5, 57.5
  
  
  Case Screw Locations: 19.0, 49.0
  
  
  
  I have been collecting WW1 watches for 20 plus years. As you can see from most of my listings, I have a soft spot for them. I take a lot of pride in offering Vintage American watches. Let some of the pictures define the condition of the watch. If you need more information, email me, if you need additional pictures email me. I will pack the watch like a china doll to insure proper arrival. This watch is hard to find and I know it. The price is firm knowing what it is. Do a google search and try to find one, let alone any pictures; there are a few in the past but not many. This would make a great gift to last many more years. What a generational gift.
  
  I will pack it very well to insure safe delivery. It will be fully insured with tracking.
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