My personal experience with Sangamo Electric began 40 years ago in 1968 when I visited their (Duncan) watt-hour meter factory at the advice of my local Representative to see if I could help them "calibrate" their meters more efficiently. While that is another story, by the end of that year my electronic calibration tools were in use by EVERY watt hour meter made! Sangamo, Duncan, General and Westinghouse "Electrics". In restrospect many of those meters probably use wheel making technology from the founder of Sangamo Electric . . . Illinois Watch Co. A year or so back, I found a "Sangamo" clock from a Canadian backyard sale, and noticed that it had an Illinois watchworks type movement! I had it cleaned up and use it all the time near my shop bench because it strikes the 1/2 hour and hours too. What is most interesting about this particular product is that while it is an "electric" clock, the "Sangamo" winding system keeps the watchworks movement 95%+ wound all the time, so it will keep running for 24+ hours without power. Unfortunately this unique "electric" clock was made for only a few years. After Hamilton took over Illinois, Sangamo Electric made a different type with a synchronous motor-driven movement that was not "power-failsafe". Sadly then only a few of these little "failsafe" electric beauties were made . . .

THEN, about a year back, I was at a "MART" in LA and there was a sickly green dirty old wall clock with a "familiar face" on it . . . another Sangamo-Illinois! $15 Bucks! I cleaned it and it is more accurate than any of my RR watches, and . . . .

on a par with my Russian-Made Kirov which I only need to "adjust" every 2 or 3 months (If I feel like it!)

I Posted this in the pocket watch section because while it also relates to "clocks", I believe that it resonates well with those of us who collect and cherish the contributions of Illinois watch Co. to our magnificent American Horological history lesson.

David,
Great story and information. I have a Hamilton-Sangamo in my collection and now I will be looking for an Illinois-Sangamo for my collection. I learn somthing new about clocks and watches just about everytime I come to this great site.
Tony