Well,I paid $134.

Despite the terrible pictures and a junky case and dial this is a 12 size Illinois Grade 299 21 Ruby Jewels manufactured in 1909--estimated production was 1,600. The 299 was advertised as the best 12 size watch on the market.

I have more appropiate dials and cases and hope to have a great looking 299.

The moral of the story is don't be mislead by sellers pictures and descriptions. As soon as I saw 21j and the fuzzy movement I knew that the watch was not a later high production grade.

NOTE the stem is missing and the dial and case are from the mid 20s
Bob

Movement 299

A picture of another Gr 299 for comparision

Hi Robert,
Great find, and a nice deal.

I always look for great deals, but with my limited information on a lot of watches, I have to look up everything, and then I often can't find much about some of them. That said, I still search for watches and take serious looks at them, even when they look like pure junk.

I've gotten a lot of great deals that way too.

I love a pristine watch, but I don't ignore the junk either.

I even buy real junk watches if they are unusual enough. What can I say, I just love ALL watches, as long as they are not new!

Congratulations on a really nice find!