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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad grade pocket watch

Illinois 16s 23J Sangamo Special Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open face pocket watch by the Illinois Watch Co is a 16-size railroad grade timepiece dated to circa 1918. The dealer states it houses a 23-jewel Model 10 nickel bridge movement numbered 3201997 with a motor barrel, lever escapement, and adjustments to temperature and six positions. The movement is fitted into a Wandsworth gold-plated case featuring a triangular bow, screw-off back, and hinged bezel. The silvered dial features black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and blued steel hands.

Front view of Illinois Sangamo Special pocket watch displaying the silvered Arabic dial and triangular bow
Front view of Illinois Sangamo Special pocket watch displaying the silvered Arabic dial and triangular bow — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad grade pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co
Reference
Model 10
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-70368
Source-reported date
c. 1918
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
3201997

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 timepiece features an open-face configuration with a light-toned silvered dial signed 'ILLINOIS' directly below the 12 o'clock hour mark. The layout displays bold Arabic numerals, an outer perimeter minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

Indications are provided by blued steel spade-style hour and minute hands alongside a matching blued seconds hand. The front is protected by a mineral glass crystal. The seller asserts the dial is in '99% mint condition'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Light-toned silvered dial signed 'ILLINOIS' below the 12 o'clock numeral.”
  • “Bold Arabic numerals with an outer minute track and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Blued steel spade-style hour and minute hands and matching blued seconds hand.”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”
  • “The dial is in 99% mint condition”

Case Construction

The watch is fitted in an open-face Wandsworth gold-plated case measuring 49 mm in width by 12 mm in depth. The housing is built with a smooth, plain exterior finish, a screw-off back, and a front hinged bezel.

The pendant is equipped with a fluted crown and a distinctive triangular bow. The seller notes that the case bears an inscription reading 'Pdt Bow Crown, Pat Sept 17 1918', and assesses the case condition as '85% mint condition – some light scratches plus two dimple bruises'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold-plated case with a fluted crown and distinctive triangular bow.”
  • “Wandsworth gold plated case, which is signed “Pdt Bow Crown, Pat Sept 17 1918””
  • “The case has a triangular bow, a screw off back and a hinged bezel.”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish and is in 85% mint condition – some light scratches plus two dimple bruises”
  • “The watch measures 49mm wide x 12mm deep”

Reported Movement Specifications

Because only the dial side is visible in the available photograph, movement details are derived entirely from dealer reporting. The movement is catalogued as an Illinois Watch Co. 16-size Model 10 nickel bridge movement, operated via stem winding and lever setting. The dealer states the run quantity was 1,000 within a total production of 4,030.

According to the dealer's transcription, the movement is numbered 3201997 and signed in red enamel 'Sangamo 23 Jewel Special, Motor Barrel, Adjusted Temp & six positions, Illinois Watch Co, DR'. Technical features reported by the seller include damascening, barreled jewel settings, a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator, gold train wheels, raised gold jewel settings, and a gold cap on the lever. The seller rates the movement at '90% mint condition – some small marks'.

Evidence for this section
  • “This is a railroad grade pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Co”
  • “The watch has a model 10 movement with a run quantity of 1000 and a total production of 4030.”
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “Movement – the high grade model 10 nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator, gold train wheels, raised gold jewel settings and a gold cap on the lever. The movement is jeweled on the barrel and is decorated with damascening.”
  • “Signed in red enamel “Sangamo 23 Jewel Special, Motor Barrel, Adjusted Temp & six positions, Illinois Watch Co, DR” # 3201997.”
  • “The movement is in 90% mint condition – some small marks”

Open research questions

  • Can physical inspection of the movement beneath the screw-off back verify the reported red enamel signature, serial number 3201997, and 23-jewel motor barrel bridge configuration?
  • What specific trademarks, purity marks, or case serial numbers appear inside the Wandsworth case back?
  • Does examination under magnification reveal whether the silvered dial is in original factory condition or an older refinish?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois 16s 23J Sangamo Special Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerIllinois Watch Co“railroad grade pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Co”
Movement ModelModel 10“The watch has a model 10 movement”
Serial Number3201997“# 3201997”
Case MakerWandsworth“Wandsworth gold plated case”
Dimensions49mm wide x 12mm deep“The watch measures 49mm wide x 12mm deep”
Winding and SettingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Case InscriptionPdt Bow Crown, Pat Sept 17 1918“signed “Pdt Bow Crown, Pat Sept 17 1918””
Movement InscriptionSangamo 23 Jewel Special, Motor Barrel, Adjusted Temp & six positions, Illinois Watch Co, DR # 3201997“Signed in red enamel “Sangamo 23 Jewel Special, Motor Barrel, Adjusted Temp & six positions, Illinois Watch Co, DR” # 3201997.”
Crystal MaterialMineral glass“The watch has a mineral glass”
Reported Production RunRun quantity 1,000; total production 4,030“run quantity of 1000 and a total production of 4030”

Visible details

  • Light-toned silvered dial signed 'ILLINOIS' below the 12 o'clock numeral.
  • Bold Arabic numerals with an outer minute track and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel spade-style hour and minute hands and matching blued seconds hand.
  • Gold-plated case with a fluted crown and distinctive triangular bow.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement specifications, jewel count, and inner case markings are reported by the dealer and are not directly visible in the single dial-side photograph.

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

Consulted source

16s size 23J Illinois Sangamo Special pocket watch c1918 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record fe66b4d4c7

Terms in this record

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

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