Illinois Watch Co. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Special Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1902
This is a 55 mm gold-filled keyless pocket watch catalogued by Antiquorum as an 18-size railroad-grade movement finished at the end of 1902 by the Illinois Watch Co.
Bearing movement serial number 1490403, it is marked 'B & O. R.R. Special' alongside an adjustment designation and 21 ruby jewels. The auction catalogue reports a private-label retailer inscription on the dial for Ajan Kuningas S. Alto of New York. The nickel full-plate movement features circular damaskeening, screwed jewel settings, a swan-neck micrometric regulator, a bimetallic compensation balance with timing screws, and a safety pinion, housed in a Philadelphia Watch Case Co. case.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Keyless railroad grade pocket watch
- Diameter
- 55 mm
- Case Maker
- Philadelphia Watch Case Co.
- Serial Number
- 1490403
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker / attribution
- Illinois Watch Co.
- Retailer Private Label
- Ajan Kuningas S. Alto, New York, U.S.A.
- Jewels and Plate Architecture
- 18 size, nickel, full plate, 21 jewels
Design
- Visible features
- • Movement plate engraved 'B & O. R.R. Special', 'SAFETY PINION', 'Adjusted', '21 Ruby Jewels', and '1490403' • Engraved balance cock with swan-neck micrometric index regulator • Bimetallic compensation balance wheel fitted with screws • Gold-toned case frame showing reeded decorative edges and round pendant with bow
- Case and External Features
- The watch is housed in a 55 mm gold-filled 'bassine' case manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. The case features a reeded band with a screwed bezel and back. The auction catalogue describes the back cover as engine-turned with a flower, crescent, and geometrical pattern. These specific external details are reported by the auction source.
- Dial and Retailer Attribution
- The watch is equipped with a white enamel, double-sunk dial featuring bold Arabic numerals and an outer minute track with red Arabic markers at five-minute intervals. The dial displays 'Parallel Spade' hands. The movement and dial are reported by the source to feature a private-label retailer inscription for 'Ajan Kuningas S. Alto' of New York. The source dates the finish of the watch to the end of 1902.
- Movement Construction and Specification
- This Illinois Watch Co. movement, serial number 1490403, is an 18-size, full-plate movement finished in nickel with damaskeening. It features 21 jewels with gold settings and is signed 'B & O. R.R. Special'. Technical features include a straight-line lever escapement, a cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, a blued steel Breguet balance spring, a swan-neck micrometric regulator, and a safety pinion.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1490403
- 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.
Research required
- Research required: The dial and case back are not visible in the catalogue photograph.
- Research required: Retailer dial inscription and case back engravings are source-reported and not independently verifiable from the provided image.
- Research required: Condition grading and overhaul advice represent the auctioneer's cataloguing statements.