Internet Horology Club 185
Quick Quiz

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/243107174

August 26, 2004, 02:33
Jerry Treiman
Quick Quiz
Who can tell what this is from? More pictures after the correct answer comes up.


August 26, 2004, 02:50
Kenny Drafts
Jerry,
My bet is fake railroad. Either the "Trainsman Special" by Seth Thomas or "The Locomotive Special" by Trenton.

Smile Roll Eyes


Kenny
August 26, 2004, 08:32
John D. Duvall
Cooksey's has it listed as an 18s, grade 4, model 2, 11J Illinois "Locomotive".
August 26, 2004, 10:11
Jim McKinney
John D. -

Yes, one & the same. Wink Thanks . . . I didn't have time to run the additional ID on it earlier this morning. Looks like the same "Choo-Choo" to me, though - what do you think ? Roll Eyes
August 26, 2004, 10:49
Tony Dukes
Could be Illinois railroad no. 4
August 26, 2004, 12:41
Jerry Treiman
I guess this really was a "quick" quiz Smile
Yes, it is an Illinois No.4 "Railroader" from around 1884. It was not railroad grade.

Illinois 4

August 26, 2004, 12:42
Jerry Treiman
... and the original 24-hour dial.


August 26, 2004, 18:13
Jessica Lane
Hi. What keeps it from being a rr watch? I know the standard kept changing. Is it because it's key-wind?

Jessica
August 27, 2004, 00:53
Jerry Treiman
Well, it actually is stem-wind ("transitional") and lever set, and it is a hunter. Also, it only has 11 jewels -- the jewels you see on the top plate are not matched on the dial side. It has been my general understanding that this model was not a real railroad watch, but in going through some old threads on the ***** board I find reference to an 1884 ad (link is long gone) that supposedly claims it was made for railroad use. I will wait for more learned RR watch enthusiasts to comment on what might or might not have been a railroad watch in 1884.
August 27, 2004, 01:19
Jessica Lane
By the way, Jerry, I love the train. That alone makes the watch so great. Sort of cartoony but so well done it's more than that--certainly compared to the popular cartoons of today.

Jessica
August 27, 2004, 09:25
Stephen L. Russell
That is a great dial Jerry!