Illinois Sangamo Special pocket watch

Technical characteristics

Date

circa 1925

Dial

Canadian 24 hour arabic numeral, double sunk white enamel dial

Type

Open-face pocket watch

Maker

Illinois Watch Co.

Model

Sangamo Special

Serial Number

4626983

Place recorded

United States

Maker / attribution

Illinois Watch Co.

Size and Jewel Count

17 size, 23 jewels

Design

Visible features

• Open face gold-toned case with an engraved decorative bow and winding crown situated at the 12 o'clock position. • White enamel dial signed 'ILLINOIS' featuring bold black Arabic numerals from 1 to 12. • Inner ring displaying red Arabic numerals 13 through 24, with '18' printed within the subsidiary seconds dial. • Outer perimeter tracks showing individual marginal minutes labeled from 1 to 60 with red numerals every five minutes. • Double-sunk dial construction with a recessed center disc and a recessed subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. • Blued steel pierced 'Sangamo' style hands.

Dial and Visual Presentation

The pocket watch displays a double-sunk white enamel dial signed 'ILLINOIS', featuring primary black Arabic numerals 1 through 12 alongside an inner chapter of red Arabic numerals 13 through 24 for Canadian 24-hour timekeeping. The number '18' is printed within the recessed subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock, complemented by an outer perimeter track marking minutes 1 to 60 with red numerals highlighting every five-minute interval. Tracking across this layout are blued steel pierced hands described in the auction cataloguing as 'Sangamo' hands. The watch is presented in an open-face, gold-toned case fitted with an acrylic crystal, an engraved decorative bow, and a winding crown situated at the 12 o'clock position.

Reported Condition and Physical Wear

The auction house condition report notes several defects and wear characteristics on the case, dial, and movement. The case exhibits dings, small dents, fine scratches on the outer surface, an acrylic crystal, and a hinge noted as having a flat and lacking one plug, with the winding crown showing excessive lateral movement. Internally, the cuvette is catalogued with case knife scratches and a circular gouge attributed to barrel jewel screws. The movement plates are described as having fine scratches and pin pricks, scratches on the ratchet wheel, a few specks of oxide on the regulator assembly, and one replaced case screw, while the dial has a few faint hairlines and the hands exhibit minor oxide and finish loss. The auctioneer reports the movement in running order, noting it winds, sets, and ticks.

Reported Movement and Internal Specifications

According to Schmitt Horan & Co., the watch is powered by an Illinois Watch Co. 17-size, 23-jewel movement bearing serial number 4626983. The cataloguer dates the piece to circa 1925 and describes it as a 60-hour stem-wind and lever-set mechanism adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and six positions. The auction description further states that the movement possesses damascened nickel plates, a lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance with gold screws, gold jewel settings, a gold wheel train, and a whiplash micrometric regulator. As the movement is enclosed beneath a closed case in the primary observation photograph, these specifications rely on the seller's documentation.

Identification

Serial number

4626983

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.