Internet Horology Club 185
Illinois 16s 3 Finger Project Watch

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/9453998677

January 27, 2013, 20:20
Dan Carter
Illinois 16s 3 Finger Project Watch
Here is my Illinois 3 Finger 16s project watch. I have had this watch for almost 2 years just waiting to be fixed up. I have replaced the roller table on it, cleaned it, and have a few more things to fix before it will be working. I need to find a mainspring as the current one is set and provides no tension, and I need to get a new second hand pinion as this one is broken. I paid $27 for it and so far it has been a slow process fixing since I focus mainly on Hamiltons. Just thought I would share.
Dan


January 27, 2013, 20:21
Dave Turner
Nice job Dan,
Looks good!


Dave Turner
January 27, 2013, 20:49
Jim Bielefeldt
I love getty's and this one looks nice. I hope you get it running and in a case. They are strong runners.
January 27, 2013, 21:33
Michael Weiford
I have 4 of the Getty style Illinois watches. 1 17j adjusted, 1 15j unadjusted and 2 21j Sangamos. These movements are my favorite 16s movements. Almost forgot...1 triple signed, 19j, 3 finger bridge Burlington Special.
January 27, 2013, 22:46
Dan Carter
Ok, so looking in the great book of numbers, I am guessing this is a Getty Model 5 (Page 280 of the 2012 Price guide)? Is that correct?
January 27, 2013, 23:10
Buster Beck
Yes it is a Grade 185, Model 5 Getty movement, circa 1908 and 1 of 6210 total produced.

regards,
bb
January 28, 2013, 14:48
Dan Carter
How can you tell it is a 185? I do not see that one in the book?
January 28, 2013, 23:42
Joseph Boone
Looks good so far Dan. What case are you going to put it in?
January 29, 2013, 00:01
Buster Beck
A lot of my information comes from publications, affiliations, IHC, web sites, search engines, a fairly good memory, my knowledgeable friends [Thanks Guys and Girls !!], and if it says "Illinois" a lot also comes from
Volume 2, American Pocket Watches, Illinois Watch Co., Encyclopedia & Price Guide, William Meggers and Roy Ehrhardt

regards,
bb
January 29, 2013, 01:12
Dan Carter
To Buster, That is good enough for me. Thank you for the info!

To Joseph, I have not selected a case yet. I have a few laying around, and would like to get the watch into something that is correct for the time period. It is lever set and most of the cases I have are cut for Hamiltons. I also need to find a dialhat is correct for the watch.


January 29, 2013, 08:09
Jim Bielefeldt
The dial will be the harder part as nice Illinois dials seem to be snapped up quick. The lever is in a standard place if I remember right.
January 29, 2013, 12:09
David Abbe
The serial number points to an un-marked Grade 185, adjusted to four positions when it left the factor. The 4Th wheel will be a bit of a chore, look for parts movements with a dial
January 29, 2013, 12:19
Buster Beck
Illinois Getty models, South Bend, Hampden, and maybe some I can't think of used the "8" minute lever-cut slot.

Most of the other brands used what we call the standard "6" minute lever-cut slot.

It is important when shopping for a case to know which lever-cut slot that you need and which cut may already be on the case. If one has to "extend" a slot by filing either on the right or left hand side of an already lever-set cut to fit a particular watch, they sometimes are quite unsightly and look very unprofessional. The factory cut slots on all cases were generally up to and under a 1/4" long and if one has to extend it to fit a different brand of movement they then become close to and sometimes longer than 1/2" wide which is "coyote ugly" IMHO, of course.

regards,
bb