Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Illinois Pocket Watch Silver Working Case 7 Jewel Hunting, 1886
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- 1886
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- silver
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 3214
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3214)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Illinois Pocket Watch Silver Working Case 7 Jewel Hunting (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3214), this is a pocket watch, made in United States, dated 1886. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
Step back in time with the Illinois Pocket Watch Silver Working Case 7 Jewel Hunting - 1886, a remarkable piece of horological history crafted by the renowned Illinois Watch Company. This vintage pocket watch, dating back to 1886, showcases a substantial 58mm silver case, typical of the 18s size, and is adorned with a thick, pristine glass crystal. Despite minor dings on the case, the watch remains in very good condition, reflecting its enduring quality and craftsmanship. The movement, featuring 7 jewels in a hunting configuration, operates flawlessly, with the serial number 964103 attesting to its authenticity. Offered by Rock N Gold Creations, a San Diego-based company with over three decades of expertise in pre-owned jewelry and watches, this pocket watch has been meticulously evaluated and maintained to meet GIA standards. Known for their award-winning designs and commitment to quality, Rock N Gold Creations presents this heirloom-worthy timepiece as a testament to their dedication to fine estate jewelry and exceptional watches. Whether you’re a collector or someone who appreciates the timeless elegance of Victorian-era craftsmanship, this Illinois pocket watch is a superb choice that promises both historical significance and reliable performance. This is an exquisite vintage pocket watch from 1886, made by the esteemed Illinois Watch Company. The watch features a 58mm silver case, which is quite large (18s size), but it is complemented by a thick and clean glass crystal. Although there are slight dings on the case, overall, it’s still in very good condition. The movement is impressive, as it boasts 7 jewels and is a hunting configuration. Additionally, the movement is working perfectly, and its serial number is 964103. Rock N Gold Creations, a company based in San Diego, California, has been serving customers for over 30 years, both locally and internationally. They specialize in pre-owned jewellery and watches, which they carefully evaluate before listing them. The founder of the company is a GIA graduate, and the company adheres to GIA standards. Notably, Rock N Gold Creations has been the recipient of various jewellery design competitions and has a passion for providing quality custom-made jewellery, fine estate jewellery, and excellent watches. If you’re interested in an heirloom-worthy pocket watch that’s been expertly maintained, this Illinois pocket watch is a fantastic option. Creator: Illinois Watch Company Case Material: Silver Case Dimensions: Depth: 22 mm (0.87 in)Diameter: 58 mm (2.29 in) Style: Victorian Place of Origin: United States Period: 1880-1889 Date of Manufacture: 1886 Condition: Good
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
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