I don't quite know how to start a discussion about this movement so bear with me. I may ramble a bit.
First off i collect private label watches from Milwaukee WI jewelers. I came upon this movement and decided it fit my interest. It was listed as a Rockford and the photos were not of a high enough quality to read the serial number but I thought the price was right so I bid and won.

Upon receipt of said movement and dial all appeared well I had a nice gold filled hunter case to house it in.......piece of cake Right? Wrong! Through searching serial number bases I quickly learn it was not a Rockford but an Illinois model Grade 114. No biggie but I didn't want to install it in the case I had because I'm pretty good at breaking crystals when removing a tight snap on bezel.
So off to my watch maker i go to let him place it in the case. After a bit it was discovered that that the step that seats the movement in the front of the case was .5mm taller that any other normal Illinois mvmt. Watchmaker tells me he can fit it to the said case by turning that step back on the lathe. Is this a stupid idea? It seems that finding a correct case is almost impossible. Suggestions please. I would post photos but my watchmaker has the watch right now.

Oh I almost forgot S/N 1178949. I need some direction here.
Thanks in advance.
Michael

If he is going to turn the case, that would be acceptable. If he is going to turn the movement, that would NOT be acceptable.

Illinois early 16sz Model 1's took a special case to hold them. They were soon replaced by the Illinois "Getty" style movements.

Also, the Model 1's are not a high end movement. To have a watchmaker do lathe work to case it seems to be an expense that will not pay for itself unless the watch has sentimental value.

regards,
bb

Buster,
As you say the model 1 is not a high end mvmt and has little or no value than why would turning the mvmt be unacceptable? It would be an inexpensive way to make the watch functional and not just a paperweight. Thanks for the input.

The most important part of a watch would be the movement. It has the serial number that ID's it for us. To change out a case, a dial, or hands, the watch will always remain what is recorded on the movement serial number. A watch is always known and identified by it's movement

An important rule in watchmaking is to never alter a movement to where it can't be returned to factory specs. Any and all repairs should be done where they can be reversed with little effort. To do so will alter the entire blueprint specifications, build, or model of that particular watch and it will no longer have a monetary or horological value to a collector or to the prospective buyer except as parts or scrap value. All that you will be left with is something that never was......

regards,
bb

But you say the Model one has little or no value anyway. In it's current condition it's original purpose is defeated anyway. It's as I said "just a paperweight". If it were rare or valuable, or one of a kind that would be one thing but it is not. Many collectable items need to have modification made to them to restore functionality or usefulness. I'll use a vintage steam locomotive as an example. Is it better to not alter it to restore functionality or is it better served as a not operational pile of original iron?

Michael, the rule is to modify the case, not the movement. You have a first generation Illinois movement which is both larger in diameter and THICKER than the later "normal" 16s movements.

After machining down the dial plate, I expect there will be further disappointment due to the cuvette not closing on the thicker movement.

I suggest that you leave well enough alone and wait until eBay pops up with a cased first generation Illinois watch of that generation. Even if it means putting that movement in an OF case.

Lets' try this ....

The watch movement is a 16sz Illinois Model 1, Grade 114. It is in fact a 15J Hunter movement. Today it has little collector appeal. But in 100 years, who will know its scarcity or value ? But if its altered today then down the road it will have lost its appeal and presumed future value to most everyone. And if altered then it may or may not work in your particular case as David has alluded to above.

Its "current condition" is unaltered and as it came from the factory. What is needed for it is a correct case, which will give the collector[s] something to search for. The cases are not impossible to find and that is what makes collecting a fun hobby and why we are members here, to preserve the hobby and be caretakers of these movements and parts.... To alter a movement to fit a case that you may have would not be a reversible situation, it would become a permanent alteration or "butchering" of a shrinking number of movements that will be worth substantially more for the next generation[s] of watch collectors if unaltered or factory original. To disfigure the movement would be permanent and would take away its factory originality, its value, and its history.

So in 100 years from now in "Pitfalls" this watch will again make an appearance and the majority of collectors will discuss exactly why a Model 1 Grade 114 would have been put on a lathe and turned that scarce movement down !!

This particular item today, does not need modification/alteration to restore functionality or usefulness. It just needs its correct case to be happy once again.....

regards,
bb

David,
Right now i wish I had the movement in my possession. A quick look at the fit the other day yielded that the step or should we say shoulder was thicker than normal. No consideration was given to the fact that reducing that would cause the rear of the movement to protrude to a point were the curvette would not close. Right now any modifications are on hold. If anyone here has a correct case or cased movement that they would part with it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the imput.