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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face dress pocket watch

1922 Illinois Grade 406 Openface Dress Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is an openface dress pocket watch produced by the Illinois Watch Company, dated by the seller to 1922. The source reports that it contains a size 12s, grade 406 mechanical movement with 19 jewels, adjusted to 3 positions, and featuring a double roller under serial number 4105688. The movement is fitted inside a Wadsworth Pilot 10K yellow gold-filled case marked with serial 6248569. The two-tone dial displays bold Arabic numerals, an outer railroad minute track, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. An engraved center pattern decorates the dial under the Illinois signature.

Front view of the 1922 Illinois Grade 406 openface dress pocket watch
Front view of the 1922 Illinois Grade 406 openface dress pocket watch — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face dress pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 406
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-4037
Source-reported date
1922
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
4105688

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Hands

The watch features a two-tone dial displaying prominent Arabic numerals paired with a black peripheral railroad minute track. The central dial area is decorated with vertical striping and framed by an ornate circular floral or foliate ring, placed directly below the printed Illinois signature. Time is indicated by pierced blue steel hands.

A sunken subsidiary seconds dial with a dedicated pointer is positioned at the 6 o'clock location, interrupting the hour chapter ring. The layered metallic surface exhibits age-appropriate patina across its decorative center.

Evidence for this section
  • “Original two-tone dial featuring bold Arabic Numerals, black "railroad" minute track and blue steel matching hands.”
  • “The sub second is located at 6 o'clock. The dial is further adorned with a finely engraved center decoration and is also signed with the Illinois name/logo on top.”
  • “Two-tone dial with bold Arabic numerals and an outer railroad minute track.”

Case Design and Construction

The open-face case is executed in 10K yellow gold-filled metal, manufactured by Wadsworth. The front bezel exhibits a raised decorative pattern, complemented by an angular, ornately engraved geometric bow and ribbed crown at the 12 o'clock position.

Internal case back stampings are documented as reading 'Wadsworth Pilot 25 Yrs. 6248569'. The listed external diameter of 20.6 mm in the source represents an apparent typographical error inconsistent with a standard 12s pocket watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a Wadsworth 20.6mm round case with engraved decorations on it, all in 10K yellow gold filled.”
  • “Case Back Markings: Wadsworth Pilot 25 Yrs. 6248569”
  • “Beaded or coin-edge decorative relief pattern around the bezel.”

Reported Movement and Dating

According to the seller's documentation, the internal caliber is an American-made Illinois Watch Co. Grade 406, Model 3, size 12s manual-wind mechanism. The movement is marked with serial number 4105688 and configured with 19 jewels, an adjustment to 3 positions, and a double roller escapement.

The production year of 1922 is derived entirely from the seller's listing and serial records rather than explicit dial dates. Because movement photography is absent, these mechanical specifications and markings remain verified solely through cataloguer transcription rather than direct visual confirmation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Illinois Watch Co. mechanical movement, grade 406, 19 Jewels,  model 3, 12s, adjusted 3 positions, double roller, openface, sub second hand, made in U.S.A.”
  • “Illinois Watch Co. Springfield Adjusted 3 Positions Double Roller 19 Jewels 4105688”
  • “vintage Illinois dress pocket watch dated from 1922.”

Open research questions

  • What is the actual physical diameter of the case in millimeters, correcting the seller's apparent misprint of 20.6 mm?
  • Can direct photographic inspection of movement serial 4105688 confirm the damaskeening pattern and factory adjustment signatures on the plates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1922 Illinois Grade 406 Openface Dress Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement DetailsIllinois Watch Co. Springfield Adjusted 3 Positions Double Roller 19 Jewels 4105688“Illinois Watch Co. Springfield Adjusted 3 Positions Double Roller 19 Jewels 4105688”
Case Back MarkingsWadsworth Pilot 25 Yrs. 6248569“Case Back Markings: Wadsworth Pilot 25 Yrs. 6248569”
Dial DescriptionTwo-tone dial with Arabic numerals and railroad track“Original two-tone dial featuring bold Arabic Numerals, black "railroad" minute track and blue steel matching hands.”
Case Material10K yellow gold filled“all in 10K yellow gold filled.”
Reported Model DesignationModel 3“grade 406, 19 Jewels,  model 3, 12s”
Reported Thickness10.7 mm“Case Thickness 10.7”
Reported Case Width with Crown26.6 mm“Case with Crown 26.6”

Visible details

  • Two-tone dial with bold Arabic numerals and an outer railroad minute track.
  • Central circular panel featuring vertical stripes and a decorative floral/foliate ring surround.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock with dedicated pointer.
  • Blued steel pierced hands.
  • Beaded or coin-edge decorative relief pattern around the bezel.
  • Ornately engraved angular geometric bow and crown assembly.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and inner case back markings are reported by the source but not visible in the front photograph.
  • The source's listed case diameter of 20.6 mm is an apparent typographical error for a size 12s pocket watch.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

1922 ILLINOIS Dress Pocket Watch Openface 12s Grade 406 19 Jewels Adju – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 0b81c61325

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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