Wrist Check... American Style!

[brad]

wow. nice free-sprung 770 there.

[ivan1998]

wow. nice free-sprung 770 there.

Thanks this is the most accurate watch I have. I can't believe it I even had my jeweler friend double check for me. And it came out to +1 a day to 2.

[ivan1998]

Gruen

[Ham X Guy]

That Elgin movement looks rather simple and uncluttered when comparing it to ETA's or Hamiltons. It also looks pretty small.

Was this Elgins best mechanical movement?

[brad]

.

[RJ007]

The #3 most popular and sought after wristwatch by Illinois collectors!

Here is my 1930, white gold filled
Illinois "Chieftain" with original dial in mint condition.



The case was quite prone to wear along the edges...
This is a fine example, no wear.

The design is "Indian" Inspired,
and what American company comes to mind but the Indian Motorcycle company?

Originally built in 1901, the Indian brand was known for its beautiful lines and flared fenders...

**Indian is the oldest motorcycle marque currently in production in the United States of America.
Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953
by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, initially known
as the Hendee Manufacturing Company
but which was renamed the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company
(wiki)**

They are still being manufactured, and rights to the Indian
marque were acquired by the Indian Motorcycle Company
of Kings Mountain, North Carolina in 2006.

ENJOY!

[RJ007]

Next in the collection...
From the TOP 10
Most "Collectible" Illinois Wrist Watches.
--------------------------------------
#4 The 1930 "Skyway"
They came in Black and White dials!
(A pair is very rarely seen together)

What American Airplane would you put a these
classically Aviator themed watches with?
The Legendary Spirit of St Louis, of course!



On May 21, 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in history, flying his Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" 5,810 kilometers (3,610 miles) between Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York, and Paris, France, in 33 hours, 30 minutes. With this flight, Lindbergh won the $25,000 prize offered by New York hotel owner Raymond Orteig to the first aviator to fly an aircraft directly across the Atlantic between New York and Paris. When he landed at Le Bourget Field in Paris, Lindbergh became a world hero who would remain in the public eye for decades.

The aftermath of the flight was the "Lindbergh boom" in aviation: aircraft industry stocks rose in value and interest in flying skyrocketed. Lindbergh's subsequent U.S. tour in the "Spirit of St. Louis" demonstrated the potential of the airplane as a safe, reliable mode of transportation. Following the U.S. tour, Lindbergh took the aircraft on a goodwill flight to Central and South America, where flags of the countries he visited were painted on the cowling.

"Spirit of St. Louis" was named in honor of Lindbergh's supporters in St. Louis, Missouri, who paid for the aircraft. "NYP" is an acronym for "New York-Paris," the object of the flight.
Gift of Charles A. Lindbergh.

Design Features:

The "Spirit of St. Louis" was designed by Donald Hall under the direct supervision of Charles Lindbergh. It is a highly modified version of a conventional Ryan M-2 strut-braced monoplane, powered by a reliable Wright J-5C engine. Because the fuel tanks were located ahead of the cockpit for safety in case of an accident, Lindbergh could not see directly ahead, except by using a periscope on the left side or by turning the airplane and looking out a side window. The two tubes beneath the fuselage are flare dispensers that were installed for Lindbergh's flights to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Wingspan: 14 m (46 ft)
Length: 8 m (27 ft 8 in)
Height: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Weight, gross: 2,330 kg (5,135 lb)
Weight, empty: 975 kg (2,150 lb)
Engine: Wright Whirlwind J-5C, 223hp
Manufacturer: Ryan Airlines Co., San Diego, Calif., 1927

(The Smithsonian National Museum, DC)

ENJOY!

[Ham X Guy]

Two beaties RJ!

I love aviation themed watches like that. The Army Air Corps insignia, or at least it looks like it, on the dial is very cool.

How many round dialed Illinois watches are there? I haven't seen to many as most are cushion or tank style. What size diameter are they? I'm betting around 30mm because the crown almost dwarfs the watch itself!

And your choice of straps is just excellent. I should spend more time buying good, quality straps for my watches because the strap can really make or break a beautiful watch like that...

[ulackfocus]

This series is good stuff. I have no clue about Illinois watches, but by keeping up with this it's as good as having a collector's guide.

[AJH]

Your presentation of these rare watches was ingenious. Imagine hanging two watches from the top of the National Air and Space Museum and right next to the "Spirit of St. Louis". Only kidding.

These are beautiful examples of the famed Illinois Skyway. The dials are in great shape and even the black dial is crisp and clear. To have the pair in this condition is truly remarkable.

I'm sure that you are aware that the unique case design was the cause of so many of these watches being ruined by unknowing watch repairers. The case back is threaded and screwed into the front. When attempting to service the watch, the repairer would often attempt to pop the back off as with so many of the watches of the generation. His struggling efforts would only result in stripping the fine threads and thus destroying the case. I guess that is why the few "Skyway" watches that show up on e-bay, usually are found in a generic case.

If anybody out there should have the rare opportunity to purchase one of these rare watches, or the Illinois "Off Duty" which has the same case, please remember to unscrew and don't pop.