In 1870 the foundation of the Illinois Watch Company was laid by John C Adams, John W. Bunn, John T Stuart, John Williams, George Passfield, George Black, and William B Miller. The Illinois Watch Company was originally christened as the Illinois Springfield Watch Company and by about 1890 the first of the watches called The Stuart was launched – named tongue in cheek after one of the founder members. Even after a century of existence, the Illinois Pocket Watches have not compromised on their style quotient and character.
‘Illinois’ continued to be the one link in the numerous makeovers and takeovers the company underwent for more than seven decades. The brand logo in its earliest form was that of a model which used the key to wind up the watch and is today a much revered collector’s item under the section of Illinois Pocket Watches. ‘Railroad Quality’ watches were another stylised series of watches. Their hallmark was the superior quality, accuracy and the keen attention to detail.
Like so many other companies, the Illinois Watch Company too underwent major re organization to shape up to the competition and emerge as a market leader. The sudden financial setback in 1879, led to the new name of Springfield Illinois Watch Company. A repeat of the same sudden bleak situation led to the remodelling of the company in 1885 and the simple name of Illinois Watch Company.
In 1920, the Hamilton Watch Company acquired it. But the Illinois factory continued the production of watches under its original name until 1939, when the last of the genuine Illinois watches were made.
The Hamilton Watch company stored away these watches and they were not sold or packaged for more than ten years. Though it was a sad end to the Illinois pocket watch it is still a coveted piece in every collector’s collection.