Historical Context
The Illinois Watch Company, established in 1870, was well known for producing high-quality timepieces. In 1927, the company was acquired by the Hamilton Watch Company, which continued to produce watches under the Illinois name for a few years before phasing out the brand.
The Illinois Sangamo Special 23-jewel pocket watch stands out as a testament to early 20th-century technological excellence, and is particularly valued among railroad-grade timepieces.
Origins and Production
The Sangamo Special was introduced in 1913 as a high-grade movement designed to meet the stringent requirements of railroad service. The 23-jewel model, in particular, was produced between 1923 and 1926, with a total of approximately 11,200 units made during this period.
Technical Specifications
The 23-jewel Sangamo Special featured:
- A 16-size, open-face design
- Jeweled motor barrel for enhanced durability and smoother winding
- Gold gear train and gold jewel setting
- Adjusted to six positions for precision
- Lever setting mechanism
- Double-sunk enamel dial with Arabic numerals
Collectibility and Legacy
Today, the 23-jewel Sangamo Special is highly sought after by collectors for its craftsmanship, historical significance, and rarity. This well -preserved example in for a compete disassembly service ran almost as good as new, using modern synthetic oils and grease.
If you are interested in having your vintage timepiece repaired, be sure to visit our dedicated pages on Vintage Rolex repair, Vintage Breitling repair, Vintage Omega repair, and Vintage Heuer repair, as well as our guide on how to begin the repair process for your own vintage watch
