Movement, Movement view 2, Angle View of Movement, Dial, Closeup view of movement, Closeup
of winding
The Illinois Grade 178 is the 17 jewel precursor to the Sangamo and Sangamo Special models. It is listed as having 21 jewels, but this example and the example described in Illinois Encyclopedia by Bill Meggers are 17 jewels. According to the production records, the Grade 178 was made in 100 open face and 150 hunting case examples.
The earlier example described by Bill was not marked Ruby Jewels but this example from the same range of numbers is marked "17 Ruby Jewels." The Grade 187 has the same description as the Grade 178 except that it is normally engraved "Ruby Jewels" and in the later runs is adjusted to 5 positions rather than 6.
The center wheel on this example had been replaced with a gilt wheel when purchased. It has subsequently been restored to its full gold train.
The damaskeening does not show up well in this photograph, but is the radial wavy damaskeening on the top plate and a scalloped pattern on the pillar plate.
This watch with serial number 1370298 is from the last run of Grade 178 model 4 (hunting case) that starts with 1370201 and ends with 1370300.