A puzzle I have been trying to solve is why the Illinois Company was still using an early 12 size Ebauche for the Stewart Special as late as 1922 production.

BACKGROUND
The Illinois Stewart Special was a trademark of Sproehnle and Co of Chicago –1897 through 1923. Over the years 18 size through 6 size Stewart Specials were produced.

For this thread I am restricting the discussion to the 12 size grades 273 and 274.It should be noted that other 12 size grades were also used such as 255 and 405.

As Meggars and Ehrhardt point out in their Illinois Encyclopedia the market does not seem to place a premium on the Stewart Specials even though some of them they have an ebauche that is very different from the regular plate layout in the same grade.

QUESTIONS
1) Why would Sproehnle and Co. chose to use a rather old fashioned layout for their 12size Grade 273 and 274 watches.

2) Did the factory have extra parts laying around and offered Sproehnle and Co a deal they couldn’t refuse?

3) Why doesn’t the market place a premium on the Stewart Special plate variants even though some are very rare?

Please note that production numbers (for the plate variant) are the blocked numbers .Actual production is unknown.

Grade 273 17 Jewels
Open Face- 8 runs total= 2,700 1909/1922 –Stewart Special 2 runs 1916/22 N=700
Hunter -3 runs total= 1,110 1910/1921 - Stewart Special 1 run 1921 N=500

Grade 274
19jOF -1 run total=400 1922-Stewart Special 1 run 1922 N=400
21jOF -1 runs total=300 1922 Stewart Special 1 run 1922 N=300

Bob


Common layout on left, a Stewart Special on right...

Lindell

The least you could have done is put a 23j Illini (N=200) or 23j OF Grade 299 (N=230) in the case instead of the more common 17j Stewart Special ( N=700).

Bob

Bob, I was pretty excited to come across your post showing the 21 jewel 12s Stewart Special. I had no idea that a 12s was available with 21j. Shugart's Complete Price Guide makes no mention of that variation. I currently have about eight 17j and 19j 12s Stewarts, and one 21j 16 size. Does the 21j example in your photo have a porcelain dial marked Stewart? My favorite Stewarts are the ones where the dial is marked in addition to the movement. Looks like a great little watch. If you ever decide to sell, please give me a shout. THANKS! Bruce

Hello Lindell & Robert, I just pick up a Stewert Special 12 size 17 jewel sn# 3999951 25 year Wadworth g/f two tone case the frame could be gold or green gold. Fish scale damaskeeing gold screws and gold regulator. Medal dail. Robert its just like the one on the right of your photos. My ? is are these rare. Thanks for any info. Ted

Ted
About 3,000 serial numbers were reserved for the 17j Stewart Special. The 19j and especially the 21j are scarce.

For a 12 size Illinois collector what makes the Stewat Specials interesting is the plate layout is an earlier design.

Lindell and I discussed this in the past.It is his belief that there were extra movements in the vault that were finished later with the Stewart Special private label name.

Unlike Railroad watches, scarcity in a 12 size watches does not typically make it much more valuable. I have many Illinois variations that are very hard to find but most collectors don't seem to appreciate them. The positive part for me is that I was able to put together a collection of rare watches for very little money.

Bob