I have an 18 size Illinois Rail Road King, s#1195549, it's a marked 16j version that is listed in the Illinois book by serial number as a grade 65, however, when I turn to the RR King section to look up the movement variations all of the 16 Jewel versions are listed as grade 65-S. Any ideas on the actual grade? or does it even really matter?, the values appear to be around the same either way.

Ray

Sorry, here is a picture of it.

Ray,

The database has it listed as a 15 jewel Hunter. I have never found an explanation for the difference between a grade 65 and 65S. Does look like a nice movement and says there were just over 5000 of them made.

Steve

Steve

Rays watch is actually the 16 jewel version, it has a center wheel jewel on the plate side of the movement, there were only 400 made total in 4 runs, so a very low production number. The 15 jewel had no jewels on the center wheel.

Tom

Yes sir Tom, it is also marked 16 Jewels on the Barrell Bridge. I had read somewhere that there was only 300 of these in the RR King marking. And 350 of the 15 Jewel version here below that is actually listed as a grade 65-S.

Those are some nice watches Ray, I wish I had either of them.

I just sat here a wrote out a whole page on what I think the difference is between a 65 & 65S but after typing it & reading it & again looking at the book I realized I was wrong about my ideas.

Your numbers might be right Ray, I don't think the Blue book covers every RRK model & neither does the Snyder data base. So there may well be fewer than 300.

Again I could be totally wet on my ideas.

Tom

Ray, what is the serial number of the 15 jewel model?

I am finishing up on a 15J version of the same watch except it is a private label & not a RRK, wish it was.

Also what do the dials for both of your watches have on them? I notice the 15 jewel says Allegheny Pa.

Tom

Tom,
The serial # for the 15j is 507,707 and the dial is marked Illinois Watch Co.
The dial on the 16j is a Rail Road King marked dial.
I believe both are correct for these movements.