Brief History: Illinois Watch Company. Including Illinois Watch Serial Numbers and Production Dates. The Illinois Springfield Watch Company was organized in 1869 primarily through the efforts of J.
The first company Directors were J. Miller, John Williams, John W. Bunn, George Black and George Passfield.
John Stuart was a Springfield lawyer and former partner of Abraham Lincoln. John Williams was president of the First National bank of Springfield. Miller was a local merchant.
Bunn owned a grocery business. Though the first movements were produced in 1872, the company really didn't achieve full production until 1875. By serial number, the first watch made was the "Stuart" model, followed in order by the "Mason, " Bunn, " "Miller, " and finally the "Currier. The first stem-wind watch was produced in 1875.
The early Illinois models were key-wound and key-set and are quite collectible today. Illinois later produced an extensive line of extremely fine and accurate Railroad-grade pocket watches like the "Sangamo Special, " "Bunn Special" and "Santa Fe Special" (just to name a few). Illinois: A Great American Watch Since 1870. In 1879, due to financial difficulties, the company was reorganized and the name changed to the Illinois Springfield Watch Company.
By 1885 the company name was changed yet again to the Illinois Watch Company. Hamilton continued producing Illinois watches in the Hamilton factory until 1939. There is some question as to whether Burlington was actually a subsidiary of Illinois. Watches produced under the Burlington name include some very fine (including some railroad grade) watches, which are nearly identical to Illinois movements.Illinois also produced watches for the Plymouth Watch Company (Sears Roebuck) and the Washington Watch Company (Montgomery Ward). NOTE: The Illinois Watch Company should not be confused with the Illinois Watch Case Company of Elgin, Illinois. The Illinois Watch Case Company was a major manufacture in the city of Elgin, Illinois. It manufactured watch cases under many brands, such as "Elgin Giant, " "Elgin Pride, " "Tivoli, " "Spartan, " and Elgin Commander. The item "Mega Rare Antique Railroad 21J Bunn Special 2 Star Gold Movement Pocket Watch" is in sale since Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Pocket Watches\Antique". The seller is "ticker-ticker" and is located in Chatham, New Jersey.
This item can be shipped worldwide.