This movement was originally manufactured in 1932 by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, IL. Illinois was purchased by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1927, and all manufacturing was transferred to the Hamilton facility by 1932. This means that this is one of the last 'true' Illinois watches made in their own factory.
While having nearly all required features of railroad grade watches, this movement did not meet all qualifications for standard watches, mostly obviously due to having only 17 jewels. However, given the exceptional beauty and rarity of this watch, it has been included in the Railroad Edition watch builder.
This piece features gorgeous, straight circular graining, a very open, nickel plated, fingered bridge design, circular graining on the mainplate, damascened winding wheels, a fully jeweled gear train (17 jewels), gold jewel settings, a Reed whipspring regulator, and adjustment to positions and temperature.
The blued steel, heavy diamond style hands point to large, bold, black, interestingly serifed Arabic numerals with a red 5-minute track in the outer margin. The original, white, double-sunken enamel dial is in excellent condition apart from a small, barely visible hairline crack over the 4. This movement is one of only 3,000 grade 167 watches ever made.
