Antique Old Vintage KW/KS Illinois Pocket Watch w/ Football Fob & Chain Serviced

STRICKLAND VINTAGE WATCHES

STUNNING, ORIGINAL 18s Key-Wind/Key Set Illinois Pocket Watch w/Chain - SERVICED

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 of which going 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. How could one resist the powerful elegance of such a man's watch! 

This large, early 18 size Illinois key-wind, key-set pocket watch exudes strength the likes of which we haven't seen in 100 years. A gorgeous porcelain dial is highlighted by Roman numerals, an outer minutes "track" and marked "Illinois" in period script. An oversized sub-seconds bit is micro-graduated; long elegantly blued hands gesture the time. 

The watch is housed in an absolutely stunning "silveride" case, in what might be original polish. Open the back and tight cuvette you'll find another work of art: a completely cleaned, oiled and calibrated 11 ruby jeweled movement, engineered during the horse-and-buggy era by the remarkable minds of Illinois. With its fancy regulator, compensated balance and precision milling, it struck fear in the Swiss watchmakers of the day — most of whom were still locked in a cottage industry that could not approach the precision of the American watches of the period. During the latter part of the 19th century, if one wanted a precision timepiece that could be easily repaired and regulated, one purchased American. This example illuminates why. 

Fitted with an equally handsome solid silver watch chain and "football" fob with key.  Certainly worthy of being given as a most thoughtful gift or worn by the main character in your production. 

If you're looking for a watch to carry and admire while being admired; or, if you're searching for a gift to reflect the generosity of the giver, this work of horological art might be for you. We are happy to offer this watch and chain in a custom-fitted presentation box. 

SHIPPING:  All buyers to pay actual shipping costs. If there is a handling fee listed, that is for insurance. We are happy to combine shipping on multiple items. For items shipped within the United States, we ship either via FedEx, USPS Priority Mail or USPS Parcel Post.

INTERNATIONAL buyers will be handled through eBay’s International Shipping Program.  eBay controls the cost of shipping, we do not. WE WILL NOT FALSIFY CUSTOMS FORMS. ALL CUSTOMS FEES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER. Your purchase acknowledges that you understand these policies. 

FLORIDA RESIDENTS will be charged an additional 7.5% for sales tax. 

CONTACT US: You may reach us - STRICKLAND VINTAGE WATCHES - Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST) 

TERMS OF SALE: We take great pride in our images and item descriptions and are careful to note as much about an item as we can. We do not sell items on approval; therefore, all items we sell on eBay are sold AS IS and all sales are final. If you have a question or would like to see the image of an item at another angle, we are happy to accommodate you. Please check our feedback; we try to be as accommodating as possible. WE WILL NOT GIVE PARTIAL REFUNDS! 

Strickland Vintage Watches is a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and have been honored as one of Forbes magazine's "Best of the Web" in timepieces, and have been on eBay since 1998.