1929 Illinois Major Art Deco Vintage Watch

1929 Illinois Major Art Deco Vintage Watch
I’m pleased to offer this Illinois Major Art Deco Vintage Watch. One look at its magnificent design and one realizes how brilliant Illinois designers were. Everything about the watch is innovative, from the “exploding” numerals of its meticulously restored dial to its yellow gold filled case with rococo engraving
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,” and “Sangamo Special” wristwatches such as the “Piccadilly,” “Major” 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. 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.
Early advertising for the men’s Illinois “Major” wristwatch described the model as “A sturdy strap watch of … unconventional design – with an appeal to the adventurous spirit.” The Major was advertised in the 1928 “A Book of Watches” as “built to withstand the severe shock and strains of work or play. It is a high grade, dependable strap watch as sturdy in construction as the average pocket watch. A fine lIllinois 17 jewel movement in 14K gold-filled case. Price $42.50.” This same copy appeared in the October 1928 edition of The Saturday Evening Post. The 1929-1930 Factory Catalog also noted it had
Case: Round barrel-cushion shape 14K yellow gold filled art deco case with engraved bezel and sides, fancy plane lugs The case is exactly how it emerged the factory 90 years ago. A gorgeous a work of wrist art as anyone could hope to find. It is the very definition of exquisite. Perfectly balanced 14K gold filled Keystone-JBoss engraved rococo engraved bezel measuring 31mm without the crown, 36.5mm lug tip to lug tip. Inside the case reads: 3/0 Keystone Watch Case JBoss 14K Gold Filled 7053429. Outside the case has a dedication that reads RWK 1930
Dial: The dial was professionally refurbished with the correct print two tone silver dial with painted exploding numerals. A minute track along the outer edge and recessed sub-second at 6. It comes with the original set refurbished decorated cathedral hands. Also, the dial is decorated with a bold center design and signed ILLINOIS.
Movement: Illinois grade 24 movement with patent regulator and 17 ruby and Sapphire jewels; 3/0 size; steel escape wheel settings. In both form and function, this timepiece is a perfectly balanced tribute to American watchmaking and the gifted designers of the Illinois Watch Company. Serial number 5173697 was recorded in the Illinois Watch manufacturing records in 1929.
We disassembled it, cleaned every single tiny part, put it back together, polished all surfaces, and calibrated it to keep good time. Sounds expensive and complicated? It is! It will cost you about $150 to have this work done. The Timegrapher test the movement at few seconds fast per day.
Attached to this watch is a new classic thin black leather band, 16mm wide with anti-allergic matching tone buckle.
Finer Details
Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
Country of origin: USA
Serial no. 5173697
Year built: 1929
Model: Major
Retail Price New: $ 42.50
Case material: 14K Yellow Gold Filled
Case markings (outside): dedication that reads “RWK 1930”
Case markings (inside): 3/0 Keystone Watch Case JBoss 14K Gold Filled 7053429
Case condition: Excellent with little Gold Lost
Case Size: 31mm without the crown, 36.5mm lug tip to lug tip
Dial: Refurbished to the original with exploding numerals
Hands: Recondition to match dial
Movement type: Illinois Grade 24 USA 17 Jewels
Band: New Leather with Matching Buckle
Crystal type: Excellent Mineral Glass Crystal
Serviced: Yes, freshly cleaned and oiled
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
I will include a 3 month guarantee on the movement which is long enough for you to assess the working order. Also, I offer a refund if you are not entirely happy, as long as the watch is returned within seven day’s. (shipping is not refundable)
A 3 month layaway option is available. There is no restocking fee or cancellation fee’s if things don’t work out. A complete refund of payments upon cancellation.
Vintage watches tend to be smaller. Please be sure that you are familiar with the sizes of vintage timepieces and check the measurements given.
Vintage Watches make great gifts for occasions such as Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays and Christmas. These vintage models are becoming much sought after and very rare so it’s not something you see in everyday life making it something very special and unusual to give and receive.