A few days ago I was looking at ebay and saw a Illinois getty movement. It isnt listed in the guide but has No.523 in gold letters on the movement. I am mostly interested in finding out how many were made. Serial is 1364789, its a 17jewel lever set hunter. It needs a mainspring, but the balance is good, not bad for $19. Here is a picture, Thanks in advance

By the serial number it is shown as a 16s 17j model 4 lever set hunter grade 175 made in 1897. I am not sure what the 523 means, if that was a private label name.

For that model & grade some of the private labels were Landis Watch Co., Sears & Roebuck Special, Paillard Watch Co., Remington Watch Co., Marshall Field Co. & I am sure a host of others.

It shows a total of 20,975 made in 108 runs from 1896-1912.

Pretty good deal you got there. Is there a dial with it?

Tom

Hi Jim,
If I am reading the book properly it appears that yours is a grade 175 , and there was 21,000 made.
There is no reference to the No.523, so don't know what that is all about.
This is a 17j H adj T&I & 3 pos.
Hopefully i have it right, but if not someone wiser, or should I say, that can read the book better, will correct me I'm sure.
Bill
I see Tom was posting as I was

Thanks Tom
Yes and matching hands, there is some chipping on the edge from 54-58 but it should be covered by a bezel. All in all for $19 its a steal, strangely I was the only bidder.

I notice you also got free shipping, so you really got a good deal.

Looking around the web trying to find more on what 523 might mean I found another example that sold back in 2005 it was in a 14k case it was serial #1361703. There were no photos of the face or movement.