Men’s 1929 Illinois Speedway Wristwatch

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.

With a look that exemplifies the Deco movement, this exceedingly rare and desirable men's white gold-filled "Speedway" wristwatch has everything going for it: a great maker, superb condition, and extreme Deco styling. Considered one of the most attractive wristwatches by a driving influence in American watchmaking, this remarkable timepiece has quite a history. One of the few models whose name is rooted in history: the Indianapolis 500 Raceway. Its advertisement reads:

"During the grueling grind of the Indianapolis race, the Speedway, strapped to the wrist of the drivers, ticked off the seconds with uncanny accuracy: Ample evidence of the great endurance of its 17 jeweled movement with a patent regulator and full luminous figure dial, fitted in a 14k white gold filled engraved bezel case."

What a work of horological art! We invite you to take a moment and enjoy the talent of the Illinois Watch Company design team by admiring the image of this dial! With its stylized numerals, daring sub-seconds configuration and mesmeric condition, this timepiece is one of the most fetching Deco wristwatches available anywhere, at any price. It's beautiful case measures approx. 31mm by 37mm.

We've taken the liberty of completely cleaning, oiling and calibrating the original 17 ruby jewel movement so that it keeps time as it was intended, as well as fitting the piece with a correctly re-created black cordovan strap and period buckle.

It is the perfect gift for the equally perfect recipient, ready to create insurmountable envy among partners, co-workers and business associates.