Internet Horology Club 185
Question on an Illinois, 18 size Pocket Watch

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/274104162

March 25, 2010, 17:42
Jerry King
Question on an Illinois, 18 size Pocket Watch
My brother sent me an Illinois watch that he found in a pawnshop in Oklahoma recently....I have very little information on Illinois watches so I thought I would post it and let our 'Illinois Experts' tell me about it as much as possible....

All I know is that it is an 18 size stem wound and lever set....oh, and it doesn't run since the hair spring has come loose, as you can see from the photos....

Another interesting thing, as you attempt to wind it the second, minute & hour hands go completely crazy and scream around the dial....I have no idea why....

Any information will be appreciated....

I do think the hands are Illinois hands but the dial looks to be a replacement dial....It is a perfect dial, however....no chips, hairlines or any imperfections that I can see....

Thanks,

Jerry


March 25, 2010, 17:43
Jerry King
Photo #2 - Movement


March 25, 2010, 17:52
Tom Brown
Jerry

It should be a 18s, 17j, model 6, lever open face, grade 69 made in 1912. There were 271 runs & 119387 made.

The dial appears to be original, this model came with either the single sunk seconds chapter or a double sunk. I have some original ones that look just like it.

I have had one or two do what you describe doing when you wind it but I can't remember what causes it. I know one of these experts will know, I was thing it was a gear train issue.

If you decide to work on it I might have a hairspring for you.

Tom
March 25, 2010, 18:13
Peter Drago
I would say the pallet fork is missing or damaged.

Peter
March 25, 2010, 18:17
Tom Brown
Peter, I was wondering about that.

Jerry, the jewel that you can see beneath the balance wheel, is it gone or just hidden, it looks a little strange to me in the photo.
March 25, 2010, 18:44
Jerry King
Upon close examination, the fork is still there but the jewel is busted....

Thanks, Peter and good eyes Tom....

Thanks, it will be a parts watch then....

Regards,

Jerry
March 25, 2010, 19:02
Tom Brown
Jerry

If you want I have a parts watch that I think will have all the parts you need if you want to fix it up.

Tom
March 26, 2010, 13:44
Jerry King
Thanks for the offer, Tom....I really appreciate it, but, since I am not a Watch Maker I will not attempt to do any repairs, other than recasing or changing hands, I really don't want to put any money into it at this time....

Eric has expressed an interest in it for it's parts so I will probably let him have what he needs....

Thanks for everyone's help and information, I do appreciate it....

Best Regards,

Jerry