...well I just had to show off my 1st Illinois 'Santa Fe'(12S)...fresh off the bench and running strong...hope to add the 16S and 0S to the collection as well...

...and the 'innerds'....

Jim,
That's one great looking watch and some very nice pictures!!

Very nice Jim!!

Very nice, sharp condition. The dial is especially nice -- more often than not these dials have cracks or chips.

Jim,
Very nice watch and great pictures! Thanks for sharing!!

Nice Jim, those 12 sz , 21 jewel Illinois sure are nice aren,t they.Who is the maker of the case?

....thanks all!...happy to say Kevin that I believe the case is original to the 'piece as well...

Jim,
That is a great watch good job.

Nice case Jim, i am not sure but how often are these watches found with original movement in the original cases?
I am drooling over your watch Jim.
Thanks for sharing.

Now, That's One -- really sweet RR PW !!!

Jim McK. -- don't forget, this little beauty is 12-size and would never have been accepted as a railroad watch. I suspect these were intended to appeal to the railroad man as an off-duty dress watch.

Ooops !! Thanks, Jerry . . . I totally overlooked / missed the 12sz reference in Kevin's post.

I was just reacting to to the photos with the Adjusted, 21j & the Illinois / Santa Fe Special signatures . . . I did question, however, that fancy case for a working man's watch.

I wonder if any of the other makers offered a "Sunday go-to-meeting" dress-up watch for the Railroader - or - is this an unique approach to marketing ??? Just makes the watch that much more interesting, huh ?

Jim,
For just one example, Ball marketed a 12 size 19 jewel dress movement made by Illinois. For a railroader to have that, along with the 16 size Illinois ORRS movement, would make quite the pair.

Yes, indeed, Ed - true enough, quite the pair.

Is anyone else aware of any such other similar pairings ?

Jim,
How about a pair of triplets? Both the Elgin B. W. Raymond and the Illinois A. Lincoln were made in 12, 16 and 18 size versions!
Since you are fond of Walthams, there is also the Riverside Maximus in both 12 and 16 sizes.

Wow !! - Thanks, Ed . . . certainly food for thought ... hhhmmmm ... ... interesting !! Matching sets in different sizes of the same grade - perhaps a new direction in collecting for me to consider - I already have an 845 & 645 to start. Anyone else out there doing this ?? Pairs - trips - does it go any farther down the line ??

Timely regards,

HOW MANY OF THE 16 SIZE SANTA FE,S HAD THIS CASE...iT IS A MARKED SANTA FE CASE..

...well 16 months later, I've acquired the 2nd Santa Fe a 16S Special here pictured...apart from a faintly hairlined face which profited from a Polident 'soak' and a not-so-original case for which I decided to sub an Illinois glass-back display, it turned out ok in my opinion...

...felt somewhat favoured by the horological gods when I found and won this "Illnios" (that's how it was spelled on Ebay; a fact which no doubt diverted a lot of 'other' attention from the listing) the same night that I was the 'bridesmaid' at Lindell's Santa Fe auction...and it's a tu-tone too! ...now to find the elusive 0 size to complete the triple play!!!