Internet Horology Club 185
18s Illinois A. Lincoln Variant #2
August 12, 2009, 16:46
Tom Brown18s Illinois A. Lincoln Variant #2
Picked up this nice 18s Illinois 21 jewel lever set open face A. Lincoln. Serial number 2732817.
I didn't realize at the time I bought it that Illinois made two variants of the model 6 A. Lincoln. One variant only has A. Lincoln Springfield Ill. & there were approx. 10,220 made from 1907-1913.
The 2nd variant was the one I picked up, it is marked A. Lincoln Illinois Watch Co. Springfield. There were only approx. 810 made of this style from 1913-1915.
August 12, 2009, 16:47
Tom BrownIt is in a nice coin silver case that I thought fit the A. Lincoln movement with an American Eagle & Shield on the back.
August 12, 2009, 16:48
Tom BrownThe dial appeared to be in nice shape.
August 12, 2009, 16:49
Tom BrownThe movement with the Illinois Watch Co. marks
August 12, 2009, 16:51
Tom BrownI am always amazed at the work they did that was hidden under the dial
August 12, 2009, 16:52
Tom BrownCleaned & oiled & running great.
Thanks for looking.
Tom
August 12, 2009, 17:07
Wayne HanleyThat's a real Beauty Tom!
Wayne
August 12, 2009, 17:17
David AbbeVery Very nice Tom. I love the Eagle case, and of course the movmeent speaks for itself.
Great restoration and cleanup!

August 12, 2009, 17:27
Tom BrownThanks for the comments, Wayne & David. I always wonder if they will run after I take them completely apart but this one just took right off. It even has an alloy mainspring.
Tom
August 12, 2009, 18:10
Eric UnseltGreat dial, Tom. I haven't seen that straightline pattern before - nice pick!
August 12, 2009, 19:46
Lindell V. Riddle
What a beautiful example!
Thanks to Tom for sharing it with all of us.
Lindell

August 12, 2009, 19:52
Tom BrownThanks for the comments Eric & Lindell, I had planned on selling it after I cleaned it but now I don't know?
Tom
August 12, 2009, 20:19
Jerry KingGreat looking watch, Tom....my A. Lincoln is of the more common variety....
You did a super job on the cleanup and the dial is one of the best I've seen....Mine has the proverbial chip out at the seconds subdial....
Great find....
Regards,
Jerry
August 12, 2009, 20:47
Eric UnseltI hope you put it up for auction, Tom. I don't have a Lincoln or anything with that dial yet, so I would bid the mortgage payment on this piece

.
August 12, 2009, 21:03
Tom BrownWell, now I will have to reconsider, that is unless your mortgage payment is like ours when I was a kid, $25.00 a month.
Tom
August 12, 2009, 21:22
Steve MiddlesworthTom,
Very nice collectable piece. Now you can start collecting all the variants in Abe Lincoln watches. They were one of the only grades that were made in all three of the major sizes, 12, 16, and 18. I have both of the 16 size variants and at least one 12 size. If you put that one up I might have to go for the 18 sizes.
Steve
August 12, 2009, 21:29
Tom BrownI have had the other sizes too, I sold one of the 16s here about a year ago. I think I have a 12 size some where & maybe another 16.
I was looking on Ebay & found one of the other variant but with not as nice a dial.
Tom
August 13, 2009, 08:14
Michael L. KeirseyJust beautiful !!!!!!!!
August 13, 2009, 12:48
Michael O'BrienGreat job Tom

August 13, 2009, 22:12
Mary Ann ScottVery beautiful, Tom! You did good!

August 13, 2009, 22:37
Tom BrownThank you all, I like it too!
Tom
August 27, 2009, 17:12
Eric UnseltHere's
another one like yours, Tom - same dial, too. The serial numbers are fairly far apart.
August 27, 2009, 19:34
Jerry KingNo, I believe this to be of the more common variant because it does not have the Illinois Watch Co. like Tom's has....correct me if I'm wrong....
Regards,
Jerry
August 27, 2009, 19:37
Tom BrownJerry
You are correct, the one above is the 1st variant of which approx. 10,220 were made.
Tom
August 27, 2009, 21:15
Eric UnseltYou're right, Jerry - I was looking at the damaskeen pattern more than anything.