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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Illinois Watch Co. Time King pocket watch, size 12s, grade 405

Partially verified

This open face manual-winding pocket watch was produced by the Illinois Watch Co. in Springfield, Illinois. According to the seller, the movement is a size 12s grade 405 featuring 17 jewels, an adjusted rating, and a double roller escapement. Branded with the private-label mark 'Time King', the movement is visibly engraved with serial number 4680162, which the source dates to 1925. The movement is fitted inside a Keystone Silveroid case measuring approximately 44.3 mm in diameter, featuring an engraved edge pattern and an ornate bow.

Movement view of the Illinois Time King grade 405 pocket watch showing serial number 4680162 and regulator assembly
Movement view of the Illinois Time King grade 405 pocket watch showing serial number 4680162 and regulator assembly — Second Hand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 405
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3681
Source-reported date
1925
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
4680162

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

Movement Identification and Markings

The watch is an open-face, manual-winding pocket watch manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois. Movement plates exhibit wavy damaskeening along with dark-filled engraved text reading 'TIME KING', 'ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD WATCH CO.', 'ADJUSTED', '17 JEWELS', and serial number '4680162'. The seller identifies the caliber as grade 405, size 12s, with 17 jewels, and dates the watch to 1925 based on the serial number.

Visual inspection reveals an open balance wheel assembly with timing screws, a blued overcoil hairspring, and a micrometric regulator. The seller's specification text additionally notes a double roller escapement, an adjusted rating, and sub-second execution, identifying 'Time King' as an Illinois private-label marking.

Evidence for this section
  • “Plates engraved with wavy damaskeening pattern and dark-filled text reading 'TIME KING', 'ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD WATCH CO.', 'ADJUSTED', '17 JEWELS', and '4680162'.”
  • “Bimetallic balance wheel with timing screws, blued overcoil hairspring, and micrometric regulator.”
  • “Movement: TIME KING ILLINOIS WATCH Co. Springfield 17 Jewels 4680162 Adjusted”
  • “caliber grade 405, size 12s, 17 jewels, sub-second, double roller, adjusted, made in Springfield, Illinois.”

Case Construction

The movement is fitted in a base-metal round case identified by the seller as Keystone Silveroid, reported as 44.3 mm in diameter. The listing records the interior case back markings as 'KEYSTONE Watch Case Guaranteed Silveroid Genuine 399677'.

Visible details of the case include a ribbed winding crown paired with an embossed/relief-decorated bow, alongside carved diagonal texturing along the case rim, shown beside an open threaded or snap-off case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a 44.3 Keystone Silveroid round case and beautifully engraved sides.”
  • “Case Back Markers: KEYSTONE Watch Case Guaranteed Silveroid Genuine 399677”
  • “Ribbed winding crown paired with an embossed/relief-decorated bow.”
  • “Case rim visible with carved diagonal texture, lying beside an open threaded or snap-off case back.”

Dial Description and Private-Label Context

The dial is not pictured in the provided movement photograph, so its physical appearance cannot be confirmed from the primary visual evidence. According to the seller's description, the watch features an original silver engraved center dial, silver butler-finish subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock, bold Arabic numerals, blue steel Breguet matching hands, and an 'ILLINOIS' signature.

The source quotes collector literature stating that 'Time King' was a trade name used by Illinois Watch Co. on private-label watches produced for various retailers (such as Kranich Bros, Booth's, Spritz, and Meyers Jewelers). The specific retailer or wholesaler who ordered this particular piece is not identified in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “After almost 100 years, this watch still features the original silver engraved center dial and silver butler finish subsidiary seconds, bold Arabic Numerals, and blue steel Breguet matching hands.”
  • “The dial is also signed with the ILLINOIS logo/name.”
  • “The private label (or movement mark) "Time King" was a trade name used by Illinois Watch Co. on pocket watches and wristwatches. The Illinois watches with the "Time King" mark on the movement were private label watches that were made exclusively for a variety of retailers.”
  • “"Verified companies include Kranich Bros (Lancaster, PA), Booth's (Dayston, OH), Spritz (NY), and Meyers Jewelers (Buffalo, NY)."”

Open research questions

  • What does the dial face and handset look like under direct photographic documentation?
  • Is there any retailer mark stamped on the dial or movement indicating which firm commissioned this 'Time King' piece?
  • Was this grade 405 movement originally cased in the Keystone Silveroid case at the factory, or was it cased by a retailer or owner at a later date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Watch Co. Time King pocket watch, size 12s, grade 405
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement GradeGrade 405“caliber grade 405, size 12s, 17 jewels”
Movement Inscription and Serial4680162“Movement: TIME KING ILLINOIS WATCH Co. Springfield 17 Jewels 4680162 Adjusted”
Case Maker and SerialKeystone Silveroid 399677“Case Back Markers: KEYSTONE Watch Case Guaranteed Silveroid Genuine 399677”
Production Date1925“The movement serial number indicates that this watch is dated from 1925.”
Reported Case Diameter44.3 mm“Cased in a 44.3 Keystone Silveroid round case”

Visible details

  • Plates engraved with wavy damaskeening pattern and dark-filled text reading 'TIME KING', 'ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD WATCH CO.', 'ADJUSTED', '17 JEWELS', and '4680162'.
  • Bimetallic balance wheel with timing screws, blued overcoil hairspring, and micrometric regulator.
  • Ribbed winding crown paired with an embossed/relief-decorated bow.
  • Case rim visible with carved diagonal texture, lying beside an open threaded or snap-off case back.

Research qualifications

  • The dial is not pictured in the provided movement image, though described in source text.
  • Listing states the pocket watch holder is excluded from the sale.

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

Consulted source

Vintage 1925 ILLINOIS Time King Pocket Watch | Art Deco Style – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e3af88d112

Terms in this record

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

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