Antique Illinois Pocket Watches
The origins of the Illinois pocket watch date back to 1869.1Springfield, Illinois was the birthplace and it was a time when that city was beginning to realize the importance of creating a vital manufacturing industry to give life to the town.1 John C. Adams was one of those who caught on to this spirit and he made his own contribution by helping found the Springfield Watch Company.1 Thanks to a healthy influx of stock he was able to build this important firm.
By 1870, Adams had found the right crafts workers and businessmen and secured the right machinery to begin production of precision watch parts.1 By 1873, the company was pumping out 25 movements a day and was even making its own balances, dials, springs, and jewels.1
This was also the same year as a nationwide economic panic and its effects led the Springfield watch Company to relocate and ultimately become the Illinois Springfield Watch Company.1 In 1876 ladies key and stem wind watches were added to the line as well.1 Other models were soon to come and before long pocket watches of many varieties were being manufactured.
The Model 16 was perhaps the most beloved model.1 The 6, 4, 0, and 12 sizes had loyal fans as well.1 As the reputation of these watches spread, they eventually became the gold standard for timepieces used by railroad workers around the nation.1 The country could be said to have run on Springfield time.