1917 6/0 Rare Decagon (10 sided) Sterling Silver Trench Watch, 15J
$1,837.00
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DetailsLook hard and, long. This is the first time I have seen this Illinois model. While it is a smaller watch than today's styles, this has such elegant lines. Have you ever seen this model come up for sale? I have not, this is a first.
1920 Decagon. 10-sided Sterling Silver 6/0 15 Jewel Offset case Illinois. Wow is that a mouthful. Now read below why I have identified this offering like that.
15 Jewel of horological History. Good this style and see if you find another one? Very very difficult to source. It took me almost 10 months from start to finish to source all original Illinois parts. It is so hard to wait on a rare treasure like this. It turned out sublime. It is a real slice of history to collect. This is a watch
that collectors will seek and put away as a survivor of the last 107 years
Thank you for stopping by. Rare, an often-overused word to describe a person, place or thing. In this case are would not be able to define what I am offering.
The greatest respect a watch restoration can pay to a vintage watch is to give it life.” I have done just that.
This is what I have completed.
Total mechanical service (sent to Fred Friedberg, unquestionable authority on Illinois watches)
NOS Crystal
Replaced Case screws with NOS
Professional Dial Refinish
Hand Polish Sterling Silver Case
NOS 6/0 Illinois Hands (others were badly oxidized and could not be saved)
New 14MM Balck Leather Band
So you understand my philosophy of restoration and collecting ill share what I look for:
1) The case has to have good bones, no noticeable brassing / case wear
2) Lug holes have to be better than 75% new, many are worn thin and never addressed
3) 100% original, even if it is worn, I can do the rest
4) Never replace parts that are not period correct.
5) Work with a watch repair specialist that is an expert in their brands restoration, one watchmaker that fixes all sometimes does not work with vintage watches; this is due to parts availability and sourcing
6) I have a soft spot for Art Deco; they seem to push the envelope in terms of style especially when they were initially introduced!
These are some but not all of the filters I use to hunt down watch projects. This Illinois really turned out to be a lucky find. I was bidding in an obscure auction and this case was part of a watch lot that I was bidding on, my primary interest was a solid 14k yellow gold Waltham Trench watch, this was baggage in the lot!
I won the auction. Imagine my surprise when this showed up at my door I immediately started some research to find more about this special watch. I could find nothing. I finally decided to go to a well-known website that specializes in vintage Illinois watches. Fredric J. Friedberg has devoted a decade of his life to writing “The Illinois Watch & Its Hamilton Years,” a history of a defunct company that, odds are, you’ve never heard of before. As a matter of fact, this special rare watch was sent to Fred Friedberg for the finishing assembly and mechanical service. This watch deserved the best.
Though not a household name like Rolex, Illinois was once at the vanguard of a vibrant American watchmaking industry, crafting Art Deco-styled timepieces that rivaled the best from Switzerland in both accuracy and artistry.
I have never seen another model like this. How do we know this is genuine. Look at the inside case back, find the word Wadsworth (Case Manufacturer) there is a letter I stamped into the case. This is an indication that this case was made specifically for this Illinois. It lays out the story of provenance. We know this is an original case for Illinois, not an Illinois movement in a Waltham case
His site is incredible, if you want an Illinois watch that might be hard to find, there is not place better to go.
What am I am offering, now I can use the word are and feel good about it. Perhaps only 1 or two are known to exist. I have not seen another one in 25 years of collecting.
Some controversy how far to restore a vintage watch, do you just service the movement and leave all external parts untouched, or does one complete a total restoration.
I opted to complete a total restoration. I elected to restore the watch for the next generation.
The case is a 6/0 size, a bit smaller than watches from the same time period, so please know that.
It measures 27MM from side to side
It measures 32.7MM from Lug to Lug
I have finished this watch off with a 16MM black band that was made in Italy. It adds an organic natural look to the watch. Sometimes less is more
Grade: 903
Manufacturer: Illinois
Manufacturer Location: Springfield, Illinois
Movement Serial Number: 3206794
Grade: 903
Model: 2
Estimated Production Year: 1917
Run Quantity: 1,000
Grade/Model Run: 23 of 171
Grade/Model Total Production: 167,620
Size: 6/0s
Jewels: 15j
Movement Configuration: Openface
Movement Finish: Nickel
Movement Setting: Pendant
Plate: Bridge Plate
Bridge Type: False Center
Barrel: Going
Railroad Grade: No
Dial Feet Locations: 2.5, 21.0, 43.5
Case Screw Locations: 4.0, 35.0 -
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