Illinois Watch Case Co. Watch ?????

August 09, 2008, 10:40

Sheila Gilbert

Has anyone heard of a

Illinois Watch Case Co. Watch?

I know the watch case company, but never the watch maker of that name, is it the same?

Marked on Dial and Movement.

August 09, 2008, 12:44

David Abbe

Sheila I have one of those and the movement looks like a Waltham. I am looking for it and will post a pic if possible. Do you have any pictures?

August 09, 2008, 14:52

Lindell V. Riddle

Hi Sheila,

You asked a similar question about this time last year...

CLICK: My Unusual Junk Watch - Who made it? by Sheila Gilbert

Apparently you have a Trenton watch, carefully check page 398 of the Complete Guide to Watches. You will see a number of names for their products including "Illinois Watch Case Company" listed there.

This is purely speculation on my part but the reason this type of movement shows up in the junk box is most likely that someone wanted the case and considered the movement, hands and dial of little consequence. There are stories of those who harvested cases and literally knocked the movement out with a hammer.

Some time ago I discussed this with men that during the Depression Years of the 1930s spent ten to twelve hour days knocking out the movements and tossing them in one barrel for brass and another for nickel. The cases were sorted by content as well. Imagine the hundreds of thousands of watches destroyed!

It is hard for us to imagine such a thing until we consider the cars that are crushed every day.

Best always,

Lindell

August 09, 2008, 16:00

Sheila Gilbert

Thank you Lindell!

I thought I had marked it before! I have to search better next time.

I always questioned if it was a Trenton, because I didn't find an example of the movement of this one under Trenton, but this time I did see the name under the title of Trenton, so that's great.

As far as the movement goes, I guess we're lucky to even see these movements considering how they were used for scrap huh?

Thank you!

August 09, 2008, 18:50

David Abbe

That is a Waltham model Hunter movement, 7 Jewels, 14 size model 1884.

If you have the Dial signed Illinois Watch Co too, meaning it is double signed, then it is eminently collectible. A very nice "special".

August 09, 2008, 20:04

Sheila Gilbert

David,
When I checked the Waltham serial number database it says my SN is for a Wm. E. Sterling, Model 1877, size 18s. Then a waltham picture in the "Book" looks like a Model 1888, 16s but not quite exact, and the 14s, 1884 you mention looks very different!!!

Soooooooooooooooo?????????

I see that under the Trenton Watch Co information it says that they made a watch called, "Illinois Watch Case Co" so without anything else to look at I don't know what to think.

Look on page 141 of the 2008 Book, it shows the 1884, 14s, and it's different???

What do ya think?

August 10, 2008, 10:04

Steve Middlesworth

Sheila,

Look what came up last night....you might find this interesting.

Steve

IWC Co. pocket watch

August 10, 2008, 10:29

Cooksey Shugart

Sheila, I think it is a Trenton movement. I had a watch just the same in every way but marked Advance where the (Illinois Watch Case Co.) was signed and S# 3,010,036. It was 16size and 7 jewels.
Cooksey