1918 Rare Illinois Trench/ WW1 watch 11 Jewel, Cushion Case

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$852.00

• Details
  My Gift to You — 1918 Illinois Cushion Trench Watch — Rare 3/0s, 11 Jewel Movement — Restored, Serviced, Ready
  
  If you’ve been searching for something rare, something that truly belongs in the horological record—this is it.
  This is my gift to you.
  
  Illinois watches from before 1920 are exceptionally hard to find, especially in original cases and restored to this level. Many never survived. Finding a WWI-era Illinois cushion case watch in this condition is not just lucky—it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
  
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  Why this watch matters
  
  • 1918 Illinois Grade 21, 3/0s movement — Only 500 produced in 1918, and just 5,990 across the entire run.
  
  • 11-jewel bridge plate movement — nickel finish, pendant set, hunting configuration.
  
  • Case: White gold-filled cushion style with fixed lugs, polished to revive its original shine.
  
  • Dimensions: 31.5 mm wide (without crown) x 10.7 mm deep, 14 mm fixed lugs.
  
  • Dial & hands professionally refinished — restored to their original beauty with period accuracy.
  
  • New crystal, new white alloy mainspring, movement serviced.
  
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  A survivor from the Great War
  
  Think about it: this watch is 109 years old. In 1918, America was still fighting in WWI, and wristwatches were just beginning to replace pocket watches for soldiers who needed quick access to time in the trenches. Most trench watches of this era were lost, damaged, or scrapped for their cases. This one endured.
  
  Illinois was among the finest of American watchmakers, often celebrated for their damaskeened plates, solid gold gear trains, and precise jewel settings. Even in this more modest 11-jewel example, you can see the same DNA that made Illinois movements beloved by collectors.
  
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  Service & restoration completed
  
  • Complete teardown and service of the movement
  
  • Hair spring cleaned
  
  • New white alloy mainspring
  
  • Movement oiled and adjusted
  
  • New crystal
  
  • Dial and hands refinished by professionals using original templates
  
  • Case hand polished
  
  This watch doesn’t just run—it sings. It has been carefully restored to honor its original design, using period-correct practices where possible.
  
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  The Illinois legacy
  
  Most collectors divide Illinois wristwatches into four eras:
  
  1. 1910s–early 1920s: converted pocket movements, trench and military-style designs.
  
  2. 1920s: jeweler-cased movements, including cushions like this.
  
  3. Late 1920s–early 1930s: factory-cased golden era with bold designs like the New Yorker, Manhattan, and Beau series.
  
  4. 1930s Streamline Moderne: sleek models powered by the rare 207 movement.
  
  This 1918 cushion trench sits squarely in that first, formative period—a piece of American watchmaking history at the very moment when pocket watches were giving way to wristwatches.
  
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  Why this is special
  
  • Rare low production run (just 500 in 1918).
  
  • Restored with respect for its history.
  
  • Collector-grade piece but wearable today.
  
  • A generational gift—something to be passed down, not just worn.
  
  
  
  Illinois History
  
  The Illinois Watch Company — A Legacy in American Horology
  
  The Illinois Watch Company was founded in Springfield, Illinois in 1870 and quickly established itself as one of America’s finest watchmakers. Known for its innovation, artistry, and precision, Illinois produced watches that today are considered some of the most collectible in American horology.
  
  Key Highlights of Illinois Watchmaking
  
  1. Exceptional Craftsmanship
  
  • Illinois watches were known for their beautifully damaskeened movements, often decorated even when hidden from view.
  
  • Many had solid gold gear trains, raised jewel settings, and fine adjustments, rivaling the best of Waltham, Elgin, and Hamilton.
  
  2. Rarity
  
  • Compared to giants like Elgin and Waltham, Illinois produced far fewer watches, which makes surviving examples scarce today.
  
  • Certain models, like early trench/cushion watches, were produced in very limited runs—sometimes just a few hundred per year.
  
  3. Military & Trench Watches (1915–1920s)
  
  • During WWI, Illinois supplied movements for wristwatches adapted for soldiers—called trench watches.
  
  • These were usually 3/0 or 0 size pocket movements recased with fixed wire lugs and fitted with luminous dials for battlefield use.
  
  • Illinois trench watches are less common than those from Waltham or Elgin, making them especially desirable to collectors.
  
  4. The Golden Era (1920s–early 1930s)
  
  • Illinois created some of the most stylish and elegant wristwatches of the Jazz Age and Art Deco era.
  
  • Iconic models included the Piccadilly, New Yorker, Manhattan, Chieftain, and the Beau series (Beau Monde, Beau Geste, Beau Brummel).
  
  • Many were housed in unique, factory-designed cases, marking Illinois’s move away from generic jeweler-cased movements.
  
  5. The Hamilton Connection
  
  • In 1927, Hamilton Watch Company purchased Illinois, continuing some of its models for a time.
  
  • After the early 1930s, the Illinois name gradually disappeared, making pre-Hamilton Illinois watches even more collectible today.
  
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  Why Collectors Value Illinois Watches
  
  • Beauty: Some of the most visually striking American movements.
  
  • Rarity: Lower production compared to competitors.
  
  • Design: A true bridge between the pocket watch era and modern wristwatches.
  
  • Heritage: Represents America’s innovative spirit during the early 20th century.
  
  
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  Final notes
  
  Please use the photos as part of the description. I pack every watch like a china doll, fully insured with tracking for peace of mind.
  
  This isn’t just another vintage watch—it’s a WWI Illinois cushion trench, 109 years old, and one of the hardest models to find. It represents survival, craftsmanship, and a moment in history that shaped American watchmaking forever.
  
  If you’ve been waiting for a watch that feels like more than just a watch—this is it.
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