I have this case is all brass but does not looks
like it was gold filled just made out of brass
to me looks like Illinois case how many brass cases
they made?
few pictures to my question.
size 18

one side

inside cover.

Hi Peter,It is my understanding The "Tornado"is made by Illinois Watch case Co.and is gold filled.I have one with an Elgin "Father Time" in it.They are a very nice case.Regards,Norm

It is a nice looking case, however, my Illinois Case Grade data sheet does not show the Tornado as being one of theirs....

This does not mean that it isn't a Illinois case though....

An interesting question....

Regards,

Jerry

I never could figure out who made the Tornado case, but most I have seen, even in different sizes had a nice pattern like yours and seemed to be thinly plated, perhaps a 5 or 10 year case. Generally I think of them as decent inexpensive cases.

so looks like the gold is gone but the pattern is not worn out great.
Thanks all.

Would be hard to wear out the plating without wearing down the details of the case which still looks pretty sharp. But, if you look at the crown tube, it looks like some plating still remains.

My experience tells me that it is brass. If I am wrong it would be the first time in 76 years

Here it is in the Roy Ehrhardt "trade Mark" book on page 61.

I have the book and agree with Lindell on
Roy not noticing that Tornado is brass case.

I acquired a Columbus King watch that is in a "Tornado" case. At first I thought was a badly brassed GF case. Now I think It was always just a brass case. Not a speck of gold plating on it.