Vintage 1929 ILLINOIS 21 Jewels 

Grade 528 * Motor Barrel * Running * 
Beautiful 14K RGP Case & Bezel 

                      "Seconds at 9" Deco Antique Watch
         A  high-quality 1920s American "dress" watch.

  • Movement Quality: watch contains a 21-jewel movement with a Motor Barrel, which was a top-tier "dress" grade for Illinois wristwatches.
  • "Seconds at 9":  This unique subdial position makes it more desirable than the more common "seconds at 6" models. Similar to other Illinois "seconds at 9" models, like the "Jolly Roger" or "New Yorker." 
  • Authenticity: Serail number 5304371 dates to 1929
Specific Terms
The particular "circle design" and its position at 9 o'clock on this Illinois watch have specific names in the collector world:
  • "Seconds at 9" (or 9:00 Sub-Seconds): This is the most common name for this layout. 
  • Chapter Ring: The thin, circular track with markings (the "train track" look) inside the subdial is called a chapter ring or a seconds track.
  • Sunk Dial: Because that circle is physically recessed (set lower) into the main watch face, it is often called a sunken or recessed subdial.
  • The "New Yorker" Style: In some vintage catalogs, Illinois models with this specific Art Deco "seconds at 9" dial were referred to as part of the "New Yorker" or "Deco" design series.
Why is it at 9 o'clock?
Most watches have the seconds at 6 o'clock. Illinois often placed them at 9 o'clock because they used "open-faced" pocket watch movements and turned them 90 degrees to fit into a wristwatch case. This moved the winding stem to 3 o'clock and the seconds hand to 9 o'clock, creating that "Scarce Style" collectors look for today.

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