Expert: Melvin Mills - 2/1/2008

Question
Dear Sir,I have what i deem as an old vintage pocket watch made by the ILLINOIS watch maker company ,stamped on the case is WADSWORTH.My question to you sir is since i've only been able to get within 6 years of the manufacturing date,could you possibly help with some history of the watch?,ie:date made,what the jewels mean,also the meaning of "Doubled Rolled"? The serial no#on the watch guts is 4771128 and the case no# is 6764743,21 jewels,14k gold filled.Thank you for any response. Sincerely,Charles.

Answer
Charles,

Please understand that without seeing a picture, I am making some assumptions.

That said, let's continue.

The watch is dated using the serial number on the movement.
That number dates this watch to 1925.

14k gold filled you probably understand.  Double Rolled can refer to using two bars of gold, one 8k and another 14k.  By doing this the outside has a higher gold content.  It keeps the cost down.

21 Jewels means how many jewels are in the movement.  As a rule, the more jewels, the better.  The jewels are put in the plates and the gear staffs slide into them.  one staff in one jewel.  This cuts down on friction because there is no longer a situation of metal rubbing on metal.  Also, the reduction in friction means more accuracy.

This is the assumption part.  I THINK it is a model 14.  It is an open face.  Look on the watch movement and see if it reads 60 hours.
If so, it is a 60 hr. railroad grade watch.  That means that the watch will run for 60 hours on one winding.

all things considered, it sounds like a very nice watch.

Kind regards,

Melvin