Pocket Watch Database
Illinois Grade 61
Grade 61 Movement Characteristics
- Size18s
- Jewels15j
- ConfigurationOpenface
- FinishNickel
- Model2 or 3 or 4 or 6 or 5
- SettingLever
- AdjustedNo
- Railroad GradeNo
Grade 61 Production Info
- Total Production52,507
- Number of Runs333
- Production Years1889-1903
- First Serial303,501
- Last Serial1,669,600
- Largest Run1,200
- Smallest Run2
- Most Common Run200
Research Notes
The Grade 61 was a mid-range 18-Size movement produced by the Illinois Watch Company in a variety of models from c.1889-1903. While some private label Grade 61 movements are marked “Adjusted,” no adjustments are indicated in standard catalog descriptions. A c.1903 catalog excerpt describes the Grade 61: “Hunting or open face; nickel, 17 red jewels, composition settings; compensation balance, four timing screws; best quality Swiss Breguet hairspring, Philippe coil; double sunk dial; patent micrometric screw regulator, Swiss mainspring; handsomely damaskeened. A well finished watch throughout.”
"Lakeshore" is the most common private label.
1890OY: 15 Jewels, Single-Sunk (Circle)
Meggers/Ehrhardt list Grade 61 as adjusted to temperature and isochronism. However, catalog descriptions do not support this claim. Additionally, no Grade 61 movements have been found marked "Adjusted" (except some special order private labels).
1896ACB: 17 Jewels
Early examples were shipped with a single-sunk dial, but the company later upgraded the movement to a double-sunk dial.
The Grade 61 was introduced as a 15-Jewel movement but was eventually upgraded to 17 Jewels in the early 1890s. Based on surviving examples, it appears all 17-Jewel Grade 61 movements are marked as such.