Illinois / Hamilton 161A ?

April 07, 2009, 14:09

James Shutts

Here is a Illinois 161A with a Hamilton 2-tone
B-O-C case & a Hamilton style Illinois dial. I remember reading a post here about Hamilton cases being on certain Illinois watches & being correct. Is this one of those examples? What do you think? I would like to know if it is correct before I post it. It looks good... Thanks, Jim

April 07, 2009, 14:11

James Shutts

2nd photo

April 07, 2009, 14:12

James Shutts

3rd photo

April 07, 2009, 14:13

James Shutts

4th photo

April 07, 2009, 14:13

James Shutts

5th photo

April 07, 2009, 14:14

James Shutts

movement

April 07, 2009, 14:47

Edward L. Parsons, Jr.

Yes Jim, this is entirely correct. I entered it into my database in the Illinois Watch Co. Research Forum when I first spotted it on eBay.

Here's a link to my database:

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...1029912/m/8681014823

April 07, 2009, 15:05

James Shutts

Thanks Ed!
I knew I had seen this before. We'll see how it does the second time around

April 07, 2009, 17:17

Tom Brown

James

Do you have this for sale somewhere?

Tom

April 07, 2009, 17:44

Steve Middlesworth

Jim,

Do the case numbers match up with the frame? It seems odd they would put a base metal back and bezel on a Gold Filled frame but then again I don't know much about Hamilton.

Steve

April 07, 2009, 17:53

Tom Brown

Steve

I had one of those cases once & before I knew better I sold it.

Here are some posts about that type of case.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...701094222#5701094222

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...6044861/m/7871043423

Tom

April 07, 2009, 20:50

James Shutts

Hello Tom,
It will be on eBay this week, $9.95 no reserve!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...em&item=140313426800

Numbers do match Steve.

April 07, 2009, 22:06

Lindell V. Riddle

Steve,

The item Jim has is entirely authentic, read on...

Follow the link to Ed Parsons' Database he prepared to help document this particular combination, once there follow the links Ed provides then check other sources and links that flow from them, the details are interesting.

Bottom line here's the brief history, in the late 1940s Hamilton found themselves stuck with leftover 161A Bunn Specials and these two-tone yellow-gold-filled and stainless steel cases. The cases had been found to easily cross-thread and if that's not bad enough the stainless steel back and bezel wear the yellow-gold through to brass in spots. To get rid of both these movements and cases that were both viewed as distressed inventory, they made Hamilton-style Illinois-signature dials, put them together and moved them out at bargain prices. This unusual combination became the only factory released railroad watch with both Illinois and Hamilton markings, a very interesting item that should be kept as-found.

So far Ed has only the three correct examples in his database but these represent the last regular Illinois Railroad Watches ever marketed. An important item to any Illinois collector in the know!

Lindell