Would anyone have info. on Illinois movt.serial # 2731699 17 jewel two tone checkerboard movt. Thanks Roger

It looks like it should be a 18 size, 17 jewel model 6, open face, lever set grade 89, made in 1915

Those were made from 1899 to 1926 for a total of 36,480 in 105 runs.

The movement should be marked Illinois Watch Co. 17 jewels Adjusted (or) Adjusted 3 positions Safety Pinion (or unmarked)

Tom

Thanks Tom the movt. is not marked Illinois Watch Co. It is however marked adjusted 17jewels and "Made expressley for Wehmanen & Company" any ideas on who these folks are? Thanks Roger

Hi Roger

It would be a private label made by Illinois for Wehmanen & Company. Is the dial also marked with their name? Some photos would be nice if possible.

I will see if I can find anything on Wehmanen.

Tom

Tom I shot some pics{such as they are}the watch is cased in a salesman case that does not screw on or off nor is there a "lip" to insert thumbnail or case knife.Sorry for the pic.quality.

movt.

movt 2

movt 3

and the last

Thanks for the photos Roger.

So far all I can find is there was a family named Wehmanen that had a jewelery store in Negaunee, Michigan, & then relocated to Aitken, Minnesota. I don't know if that was the same as your watch marked Wehmanen & Company.

I can't tell in your photos, is the movement marked with a city or state under the Wehmanen & Company markings?

Tom

Thanks Tom, the only markings are:sn.2731699,adjusted 17 jewels and Made expressly for Wehmanen&company.Sure is a pretty two tone checkeboard movement and it is running up a storm.Don't know how accurate as I can't get to the lever to set it.Guess I will let it run down and then start it up when the hands and my computer match.Hard to imagine they would put it in a case that will not open.Wonder when these cases came into being! Roger

Those are snap off case covers.

Thanks David,I did manage to get the front cover off and set the time.Will see how accurate it is.I doubt the watch has been run very much seeing as how diffuclt it is to set.If I keep it,it will certainly find a different case.Would a different case detract from the value? Thanks,Roger

Watch has been running now for 25hrs. appears to be 30 seconds fast.

A correct case would greatly improve the value and also make it easier (safer) to adjust the time. Something like a nice 18s Illinois or Fahys case with the early "short" neck.

David,thanks for your input.I do have one J.Boss very nice case,but it is a swingout.Was kinda saving it for a Special Railway that I have.My other 18size cases are base metal and I don't think they would fill the bill on this nice watch.Guess I will have shop around for a good one. Thanks again, Roger