March 27, 2010, 02:20
John J. Flahive IIIPretty Illinois Grade 185
I purchased this pretty little Illinois Grade 185 pocket watch from our own David Abbe. It came with a heavily brassed case, so I recased it in a genuine Illinois Watch Co display case to show off the nice three finger bridge, Getty movement. It has gold-plated train wheels, gold colored screw heads and regulator, gold engraving, and gold two-tone damaskeening. Lots of gold here.
This watch is a marked "Adjusted" and "17 Jewels". Serial number 1876897 dates the Model 5 movement to approximately 1906. According to the Illinois "Blue Book", 6,210 of these Grade No. 185 17J open face movements were produced, but I doubt very many were made with this spiral damaskeening pattern and gold package.
To quote Jim Carrey in
Dumb and Dumber:
"I like it alot" 
John III
March 27, 2010, 02:24
John J. Flahive IIIThe watch is running like a top. Here is a picture of the dial side. Nice double sunk dial and moon hands.
March 27, 2010, 02:37
Tom BrownJohn
That looks great in that case, it may be one of the best looking movements I have seen in a display case. You can sure dazzle & amaze people with that one. Wish it were mine.
Tom
March 27, 2010, 07:35
Eric UnseltGorgeous piece, John!
You gotta line up that front bezel, though

.
March 27, 2010, 20:39
Dale BrooksSeriously one of the prettiest movements I've seen.
March 29, 2010, 18:36
Roland GlennLove that movement! That Getty design is one of my favs. I like how the set time lever lowers and raises the gear into the hour/minute wheels. I have a 1901 grade 175 Arlington Special that has the gold trim, but not nearly as much as yours.
Nice grab and case too.
Roland.