Pocket Watch Database

Illinois Stuart

Grade Stuart is a 15j Hunting watch maufacturered by Illinois. The size 18s, Model 1 movement features a gilt finish and is adjusted to isochronism and temperature. Illinois introduced this particular grade to the market 1871. During the time the watch was manufactured, it would have qualified for railroad service and is considered to be railroad grade.

Stuart Movement Characteristics

  • Size18s
  • Jewels15j
  • ConfigurationHunting
  • FinishGilt
  • Model1 or 2 or 3
  • SettingKey
  • AdjustedYes
  • Railroad GradeYes
  • Railroad Grade ClassClass C

Stuart Production Info

  • Total Production3,791
  • Number of Runs29
  • Introduced1871
  • Production Years1871-1885
  • First Serial1
  • Last Serial309,300
  • Largest Run500
  • Smallest Run40
  • Most Common Run100

Research Notes

The "Stuart" Grade was one of the better-quality grades in the early production line of the Illinois Watch Company, named in honor of John T. Stuart, a founding director and first president of the company. This grade was eventually produced in three distinct models: 1, 2, and 3. Each Model 1 and Model 2 movement features gilded plates and 15 Jewels. Due to the presence of the 5th pinion, the Model 3 movements feature 17 Jewels. Some runs are mixed with Model 2 (15-Jewel) and Model 3 (17-Jewel) production, resulting in slightly ambiguous estimated production metrics for these variants.

Movements began to be marked "Adjusted" on the balance cock following very early production runs. It is believed that the early movements were also factory-adjusted even though they are not marked as such.

Throughout most of the grade production, movements featured a plain regulator with index plate. However, in the early 1880s, movements began being fitted with Wheeler's patented micrometric regulator.

As with other movements in the Illinois line, the signing style was modified during production, beginning with an elegant script style and ending with a Blackletter style after c.1880.