Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter-cased pocket watch

Illinois Watch Co. Model 4 Grade 172 Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Illinois Watch Co. men's hunter-cased pocket watch dates to approximately 1899. The exterior of the hunter case displays deep floral and foliate engraving. The white enamel dial is set with slender black Roman numerals, red five-minute markers, and dark spade-style hands, with a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at six o'clock. The movement is a Model 4 Grade 172 caliber, featuring a nickel-plated three-quarter plate design with 11 jewels set in gold jewel cups. It employs a pendant-wind mechanism and a lever-set system for time adjustment. The auction description reports that the watch has been recently serviced and is in fine running condition. The interior of the case lid contains two engraved initials.

Illinois Watch Co. Model 4 Grade 172 gold-filled hunter pocket watch, showing open case and dial.
Illinois Watch Co. Model 4 Grade 172 gold-filled hunter pocket watch, showing open case and dial. — Ashton-Blakey Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter-cased pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1899
Source-reported place
United States

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

Case and Dial Details

The watch is housed in an American size 16 hunter case measuring 51 mm in diameter. The outer surfaces of the case are decorated with deep engravings of botanical and scrollwork motifs. The front cover includes a blank cartouche shield intended for initials or crests, while the inner lid bears two hand-engraved initials.

The dial is finished in white and features a peripheral track with red-colored five-minute markers accompanied by slender black Roman numerals. Time is displayed via dark, spade-shaped hands, with a secondary dial for seconds positioned at the six o'clock mark.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب درب‌دار هانتر (Hunter cased) با سایز استاندارد آمریکایی ۱۶ و قطر ۵۱ میلی‌متر”
  • “پوشش طلای ۱۴ عیار با ضمانت ۲۵ ساله (Gold Filled 25 Year)”
  • “با ارقام رومی باریک مشکی، نشانگرهای پنج دقیقه‌ای قرمز رنگ”

Movement and Technical Features

The movement is identified as the Illinois Watch Co. Model 4, Grade 172 caliber, produced in Springfield, USA. It utilizes a three-quarter plate layout with a nickel finish. The mechanical assembly incorporates 11 jewels, all housed within gold jewel cups. The timepiece functions via a pendant-winding mechanism and is equipped with a lever-set system for precise time adjustment. Additionally, the movement includes a patented regulator.

According to the provided information, the watch has been serviced recently and is currently in fine running condition. No specific details concerning the provenance or the technicians responsible for the servicing are included in the documentation provided by the seller.

Evidence for this section
  • “کالیبرهای مدل ۴ گرید ۱۷۲ (Model 4 Grade 172) کارخانه ایلینوی”
  • “چیدمان پل سه‌چهارم (3/4 plate)، پرداخت نیکلی”
  • “۱۱ سنگ قیمتی با کاسه‌های نگین طلا (Gold Jewel Cups)”
  • “در وضعیت کارکرد دقیق و بسیار خوب (Fine running condition)”

Verification and Attributions

The information provided originates from a catalogue record summarising an listing by Ashton-Blakey Antiques. All specifications regarding the watch's construction, technical features, and current operational state are presented as seller-provided descriptions.

The dating of the object to approximately 1899 is based on the provided catalogue notes. The provenance, beyond the seller's initial listing details, remains undocumented within the source material.

Evidence for this section
  • “تمامی مشخصات، ویژگی‌های فنی، وضعیت سلامت و توضیحات ذکرشده صرفاً بر اساس ادعای فروشنده و منبع کاتالوگ بازگو شده”
  • “اصالت، کارکرد یا بازسازی قطعات مستقلاً تصدیق نمی‌شود”
  • “سال ساخت تقریبی: حدود ۱۸۹۹”

Open research questions

  • Can the serial number be used to verify the precise date of manufacture?
  • Is the engraving original to the manufacture of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Watch Co. Model 4 Grade 172 Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerIllinois Watch Co.“ساخت کارخانه نام‌آشنای ایلینوی (Illinois Watch Co.)”
ModelModel 4 Grade 172“کالیبرهای مدل ۴ گرید ۱۷۲ (Model 4 Grade 172)”
Datecirca 1899“حدود ۱۸۹۹”
SizeSize 16“سایز استاندارد آمریکایی ۱۶”
Diameter51 mm“قطر ۵۱ میلی‌متر”
Jewel Count11“۱۱ سنگ قیمتی”
Setting MechanismLever set“تنظیم زمان آن از طریق اهرم کشویی (Lever Set)”
ConditionFine running condition“در وضعیت کارکرد دقیق و بسیار خوب (Fine running condition)”

Visible details

  • Hunter-cased design with floral engraving
  • White dial with red five-minute track
  • Visible spade-style hands and subsidiary seconds
  • Movement with gold jewel cups

Research qualifications

  • Service history performed by anonymous workshop
  • Functional status is based on auction description reports

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی هانتر Illinois Model 4 Grade 172 روکش طلا سایز ۱۶

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 111f7311e5

Terms in this record

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

Other hunter-cased pocket watch records