Illinois 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch – 16 Size Lever Set | Yellow Gold Filled | Circa 1909
ITEM-2625
Product Details
Illinois 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch – 16 Size Lever Set | Yellow Gold
Filled | Circa 1909
High-Grade Railroad
Timekeeping from the Golden Age of American Horology
This Illinois Railroad Pocket Watch,
dating to circa 1909, represents the height of early 20th-century American
watchmaking. Built to meet the demanding standards of railroad service, this
timepiece features a 23 jewel movement, offering enhanced
precision, durability, and reduced friction.
Housed in a classic yellow gold filled open face case,
the watch is complemented by a double sunk porcelain dial with
bold Arabic numerals—ensuring excellent readability, a critical requirement for
railroad use.
Key Features
- 🚂
Railroad-grade pocket watch
- 💎
High-grade 23 jewel movement
- ⚙️
Lever set mechanism for safety and accuracy
- 🇺🇸
Made in the USA by Illinois Watch Company
- 🕰️
Circa 1909 – early railroad era craftsmanship
- ✨
Yellow gold filled open face case
Product Details
MAKE
- Manufacturer:
Illinois
- Country:
USA
- Type:
Man’s Pocket Watch
- Serial
#: 2185757
- Circa
Date: 1909
CASE
- Size:
16 Size
- Style:
Open Face
- Material:
Yellow Gold Filled
- Decoration:
Plain
- Condition:
C3 – Very Good condition
DIAL
- Color:
White
- Type:
Double Sunk Porcelain Dial
- Numerals:
Arabic Numerals
- Hands:
Spade Hands
- Condition:
D3-50 – Very Good (minor hairlines barely visible)
MOVEMENT
- Jewels:
23 Jewels
- Setting:
Lever Set
- Escapement:
Lever Escapement
- Material:
Nickel
- Layout:
¾ Plate
- Signed:
Yes
- Condition:
M3 – Very Good condition
Why This Illinois
Railroad Watch Stands Out
Illinois pocket watches are highly regarded
for their precision
engineering and robust construction, and this
example—with its 23 jewel movement—represents a higher-grade
configuration designed for superior performance.
The lever set mechanism, a standard for
railroad watches, prevents accidental time changes, while the double sunk
porcelain dial ensures maximum legibility. Together, these
features made watches like this essential tools for safe and efficient railroad
operations.
Collector Appeal
- Desirable high jewel count (23 jewel) railroad watch
- Excellent example of pre-World War I American horology
- Classic double sunk dial configuration
- Strong addition to
any railroad or antique watch collection
