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AEDBurlington Pocket Watch – Illinois Watch Company – Serial #3502148
Timed Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $1 |
| $10 | $2 |
| $100 | $10 |
| $500 | $25 |
| $1,000 | $50 |
| $5,000 | $100 |
| $10,000 | $250 |
| $25,000 | $500 |
| $50,000 | $1,000 |
| $100,000 | $2,500 |
| $250,000 | $5,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 |
| $5,000,000 | $50,000 |
About Auction
TimedNov 8, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025
$1.00 Starting Bids NO RESERVES! Opens Nov 8, staggered lot closing Nov 23. An exclusive auction of men’s vintage pocket watches, fine jewelry, and jewelry-grade gemstones. Featuring gold and silver timepieces from Elgin, Waltham, Hamilton, and more, plus 14K–18K gold rings, chains, and collectible opals, emeralds, and quartz from around the world. No reserves — all bids start at just $1! Opens Nov 8, closes Nov 23 @ 430pm CST. Best Estate Services hello@bestestateservices.com
View Full Catalog (220)
- Lot Description
Burlington 21-jewel railroad-grade pocket watch – Illinois Watch Co. movement – Adjusted to temperature and positions – circa 1919.
Description:
A fine Burlington Watch Co. pocket watch, produced by the renowned Illinois Watch Company of Springfield, Illinois. This 21-jewel example demonstrates the precision and craftsmanship that made Burlington watches a trusted name among early 20th-century railroad and professional timepieces.
The movement, marked “Adjusted Temp. & Positions”, features a high-grade 21-jewel mechanism with a Breguet hairspring and jeweled settings, designed for accuracy and durability. The movement serial number 3502148 corresponds to a production date of approximately 1919, placing it within the Burlington Special Grade family — movements manufactured by Illinois exclusively for Burlington’s mail-order business.
The dial is a clean, silvered design, signed “Burlington”, with stylized raised Arabic numerals, a subseconds dial at 6 o’clock, and blued steel hands. The numerals retain their original warm copper tone, contrasting attractively with the textured background. The overall styling reflects early Art Deco influences, transitioning from the classical designs of earlier railroad watches.
Inside the back cover, the case is stamped:
“Defiance – 1241180 – B247K”, denoting a Defiance Watch Case Co. housing — a sturdy nickel-chrome case often used by Illinois and Burlington during this period. The bezel and caseback both display machine-turned engraving, with a decorative monogrammed shield on the rear.Value and Sale Information:
The Burlington Watch Co. was established as a direct-to-consumer brand, offering high-quality Illinois-built watches at competitive prices through catalog sales. Their 21-jewel movements were marketed as “Burlington Special”, emphasizing railroad-grade precision at a fraction of the cost of their competitors.
Collectors prize these watches for their robust construction, technical excellence, and strong link to the Illinois Watch Co.’s legacy.
Comparable Burlington 21-jewel Illinois pocket watches in nickel or gold-filled cases typically range from $350 to $600, with examples in original condition often exceeding that range.
This example, featuring a clean movement, distinctive Art Deco-style dial, and intact Defiance case, is valued around $475.
Offered for sale as-is.
A striking and historically significant Burlington pocket watch, powered by a high-grade Illinois movement — a robust and handsome timepiece representing one of the finest examples of early 20th-century American horology.
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Offered for sale as-is. Invoices totaling over $1500.00 must be paid by wire transfer or cashiers check.
A striking and historically significant Burlington pocket watch, powered by a high-grade Illinois movement — a robust and handsome timepiece representing one of the finest examples of early 20th-century American horology.
Condition: Excellent cosmetic condition for its age; case retains clean definition with light wear; dial shows light patina and even toning; movement appears clean and intact; not tested for running condition.
- Provenance
Details:
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Maker: Burlington Watch Co. (Illinois Watch Company, Springfield, IL)
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Movement Serial Number: 3502148
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Grade: Burlington Special (Illinois Grade 107 or equivalent)
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Movement Type: Manual-wind, lever-set
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Jewels: 21
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Adjusted: Temperature & 3 Positions
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Dial: Silver-tone metal with copper-tone raised numerals and subsidiary seconds
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Hands: Blued-steel spade and whip style
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Case: Defiance nickel-chrome
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Case Serial Number: 1241180
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Era: Circa 1919
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Condition: Excellent cosmetic condition for its age; case retains clean definition with light wear; dial shows light patina and even toning; movement appears clean and intact; not tested for running condition.
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- Shipping Info
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Shipping
Shipping & Pick-Up Information
General Policy:
Buyers are responsible for all shipping costs. Shipping information is not included in the purchase price of your item(s).
If you are the successful bidder, you may either:
Have your items shipped via Best Estate Services, Inc. in-house shipping department, or Collect your property in person during the designated local pick-up period.
For all shipping and pick-up inquiries, please contact us at:
📧 hello@bestestateservices.com📞 (262) 799-5167
8. Shipping Details
All shipping will be handled in-house by Best Estate Services, Inc. via USPS unless otherwise arranged. A flat handling fee of $15.00 per package will be applied and added to your invoice along with the applicable USPS postage cost. Shipping and handling fees will appear as separate line items on your invoice. Packages will be shipped once payment for both the item(s) and shipping has been received and cleared. Tracking information will be provided via email once your package has been processed.
Note: For oversized or fragile items (such as large furniture, sculptures, or specialty pieces), please contact us prior to bidding to discuss available shipping options or to coordinate third-party freight service if required.
9. Local Pick-Up
All local pick-up arrangements must be made by Tuesday End of Day following the close of the auction. Local pickups are subject to a flat $5.00 handling fee. Local pick-up will take place 8 days after the close of the auction, on the following Monday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Important Pick-Up Rules:
No cash will be accepted at local pick-up locations. All invoices must be paid online prior to arrival.
If you are sending someone else to pick up your items, you must provide a copy of their driver’s license in advance of pick-up for authorization.
Pick-ups are by appointment only within the designated time window.
Please contact us promptly if you are unable to attend the scheduled pick-up so alternate arrangements can be discussed.10. Storage Fees
All items must be picked up or have shipping arranged within two (2) weeks of the auction close.
Items left beyond that time will incur a storage fee of $10 per lot per day, regardless of size or value.Thank you for participating in our auction and for choosing Best Estate Services, Inc.
We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again.📧 hello@bestestateservices.com
📞 (262) 799-5167
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- Payment & Auction Policies
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Available payment options
Thank you for bidding with Best Estate Services. The auction has now closed. Winning bidders can expect to receive an invoice for their winning lots and a separate shipping invoice within the next 48–72 hours. This invoice can be paid directly through the payment link sent to you. Please note that your winning bid invoice and shipping invoice are two separate invoices. If pickup is available for your items, you will have the option to select pickup when you receive notification from our shipping department. After selecting pickup, you will be notified of the pickup location and available pickup time window. Thank you again for participating in our auction.
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- Buyer's Premium
