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

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.

Tom Brown

IHC Life Member
Site Moderator

posted

Keith

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

Tom

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Steve Middlesworth

IHC Member 1101
Site Moderator

posted

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

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Tom Brown

IHC Life Member
Site Moderator

posted

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

Tom

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Keith Klimkowicz

IHC Member 48

posted

Picture of the Imperial

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Keith Klimkowicz

IHC Member 48

posted

Picture of the Master

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Tom Brown

IHC Life Member
Site Moderator

posted

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

Tom

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Keith Klimkowicz

IHC Member 48

posted

Hi

Looking for a replacement dial for this watch.

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Lindell V. Riddle

IHC President
Life Member

posted

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

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Keith Klimkowicz

IHC Member 48

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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

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Keith Klimkowicz

IHC Member 48

posted

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.