Men’s 1911 Illinois Railroad Pocket Watch w/Stag

The Illinois Watch Company is, without question, one of the jewels in the crown of American Watch Houses. Organized in Springfield, Ill. shortly after the Civil War, the company turned out during its 58-year run some of the most magnificent timepieces ever to come to light in this country. Pocket watches with names such as "Bunn Special," "Sangamo Special" and "Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire" and wristwatches such as the "Piccadilly," "Marquis" and "Speedway" – all went from innovation, to wide reception to legend. Illinois was farsighted enough to be one of the first American manufacturers to chase the silly idea of marketing a wristlet for men. Having made "convertible wristlets" for women, which could be used as a pendant, hung from a pin or worn with a cord or chain around the wrist, Illinois saw the rabid reception that wristlets received during WWI and felt the time had come for expanded wristwatch manufacture.

Illinois Watch Company, known for their obsessive attention to detail, produced watches that were exciting, elegant, and extraordinarily well-crafted. Today these watches are prized by collectors and designers for their look and reliability.

One of the most desirable railroad-grade pocket watches ever made, this remarkable 23 ruby jeweled "Bunn Special" is, in a word, magnificent. Everything about this remarkable watch is impressive, from its FINE Gothic dial to its intricate, hand-carved copper-inlay “stag” case.

Open its copper-inlayed back and you'll find a beating heart of historic design and implementation: a solid nickel movement with mesmeric" damasceening, enamel inlaid engraving on its full plates and balance assembly. With suspended balance micrometer whip regulator, solid gold screw settings; solid gold train and fully adjusted to six positions plus heat, cold and isochronism (the winding down of the mainspring), this watch is a monument to American watchmaking and the Railroad Era.

We invite you to enjoy the images of this rare work of horological art, as it is one of the finest American timepieces offered for sale today.

We're pleased to offer this work in its own custom-fitted, solid wood presentation case.