The Illinois Grade 105 may be the finest full plate movement produced in the United States. It certainly is the highest grade ever produced by Illinois, including those much more expensive. This example was purchased from Jim Hernick who had managed to find a better example to keep. There are other examples with much brighter damascening. There are a series of Grade 104, 105 and 100S watches that Russ Snyder has collected that show the range of damascening patterns especially well. This picture of the group provides a convenient comparison.
Pictures of the outside of the 105 hardly do it justice. The Grade 105 was also made in a 5th pinion model with 17 jewels. The 5th pinion does not have the separate hairspring stud but rather has the hairspring pinned to the balance cock. In both cases they are Breguet hairsprings, but the stud for the 15 jewel model is especially nice.
The spotted damascening of the under surfaces of the plates is reminiscent of English spotted damascening. The under dial work is not quite as nice as the much more expensive Elgin Grade 72 and 91 convertibles since the jewel settings are composition rather than gold. However, the decoration on the setting and motion work parts is very attractive. This view of John Cote's Grade 105 disassembled gives a better idea of the hidden work than my example does. John also featured the 105 as the Interstate Time, Watch of the Month for March 2001. The damascening pattern on this example is especially nice, as is John's skill with a scanner.
In the pictures of the parts below, click on the balance will give an enlarged view of the balance, while clicking on the other areas of the image will give an enlarged view of the image you see.
