Illinois "The Master" 16-size and 12-size Watches

January 29, 2009, 21:56

Keith Klimkowicz

Hi

Could some one tell me what model these are from the serial numbers.
1. #4495542 16s 17j Adj. Marked "The Master" on the movement, the dial is marked "Illinois Master". It is in a Derby case.
2. #4897821 12s? 19j Adj. 3 Positions marked "Imperial" on the movement and on the dial.
Thanks for any help.

January 29, 2009, 22:17

Tom Brown

Keith

So far #1
4494001-4496000 16s pendant set open face 17 jewel model 7 grade 305 Illinois.

Tom

January 29, 2009, 22:23

Steve Middlesworth

Keith,
#2 is a 12 size 19 jewell Model 3 of which there were 5330 made in 7 runs. Yours was made in 1927 and is a grade 407. It was made in the second to last run which included 1000 serial numbers.

Steve

January 29, 2009, 22:25

Tom Brown

#2
4897001-4898000 12s pendant set 19 jewel open face model 3 grade 407. I wonder if Imperial was a private label.

Tom

January 30, 2009, 13:35

Keith Klimkowicz

Picture of the Imperial

January 30, 2009, 13:37

Keith Klimkowicz

Picture of the Master

January 30, 2009, 15:01

Tom Brown

Nice looking watches Keith, I like the Imperial one the most, like that lettering color.

Tom

February 07, 2009, 15:57

Keith Klimkowicz

Hi

Looking for a replacement dial for this watch.

February 07, 2009, 16:57

Lindell V. Riddle

Keith,

Here's a little more about your "Master" which as Tom pointed out is a 16-size Pendant-Set, Open-Face, 17-Jewel, Model 7, Grade 305 fron 1924 Production. Meggers notes on page 138 of the "Illinois Encyclopedia" that the 305 was their highest production 16-size medium production watches. But he further notes that "Many were Private Label marked. And he says the regular 305 unlike your watch had "Striped-Pattern" damaskeening.

From there we go a bit further, on page 247 of the same book we find a listing for "The Master" which indicates there were three models made, all during 1924 production. First, a 16-size 21-Jewel, Adjusted 3 Positions Grade 606, then a 16-size 17-Jewel, Adjusted Grade 305 like yours, and finally a 12-size 17-Jewel, Adjusted Grade 405 are listed without further comment. A picture of the 21-Jewel is shown on page 270 at the upper -right.

That is all the information I found, but my impression is of a Private-Label made for a specific jeweler of group of jewelers. If it were mine I would change nothing about it at this point, the watch looks to be very original, it may be unusual and although I recall seeing the name before I know nothing beyond what we reported here.

Perhaps someone else may have additional information.

Lindell

February 07, 2009, 21:19

Keith Klimkowicz

Thanks Lin

Good to hear from you! I miss your posts. Glad you are feeling a little better. The power of the masses wishing you good health and recovery has pulled you through.

Keith

February 13, 2009, 22:20

Keith Klimkowicz

Hi

Just picked up this 12s Illinois marked "The Master" 19j serial #4512500. This one will fit nicely with the 16s posted above.

Would you guys be so kind to look this number up. Please!

Thank you in advance.

February 13, 2009, 23:18

Steve Middlesworth

Keith,

This one is a grade 406 manufactured in 1924. There were 92,140 made in 101 runs between 1913 and 1926.

Steve

February 21, 2009, 14:38

Keith Klimkowicz

Hi

Found another Illinois 16s "The Master". This has the same style dial but only in a metal dial. Take a look.