Men’s 1930 Illinois Beau Royale 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 and enamel "Beau Royale" 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 a stunning case featuring Aztec-inspired, enameled geometric chasework around its white gold-filled bezel. Measuring 39mm by 28mm, it shows no rubbing or wear. One could easily go a lifetime without finding another example in this condition.

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, outer minutes track, daring sub-seconds configuration and completely original hands, this timepiece is one of the finest Deco wristwatches available anywhere, at any price.

We've taken the liberty of completely cleaning, oiling and calibrating the original 21 ruby jewel movement so that it keeps time as it was intended. We've also fitted it with a correctly recreated black cordovan strap period and matching buckle of the period.

The unusual enameling of this "Beau Royale" case, combined with its condition, makes it the timepiece one wears to create insurmountable envy among partners, co-workers and business associates.