1930s Illinois Guardian, 17J, Rotating

Creator: Illinois Watch Company
Strap Material: Leather
Case Shape: Oval
Movement: Manual Wind
Case Dimensions: Height: 0.52 in (13 mm) Width: 1.23 in (31 mm) Diameter: 1.23 in (31 mm)
Style: Art Deco
Place of Origin: United States
Period: 1930-1939
Date of Manufacture: 1930s
Condition: Good Replacements made: Comprehensive mechanical service New Crystal New Band Dial, hands and disc professionally refinished Case hand polished. Additions or alterations made to the original: Comprehensive mechanical service New Crystal New Band Dial, hands and disc professionally refinished Case hand polished. Repaired: Comprehensive mechanical service New Crystal New Band Dial, hands and disc professionally refinished Case hand polished. Polished. Wear consistent with age and use.


Welcome to my Vintage Watch Neighborhood. Where old watches are carefully nurtured back to health. Careful attention is paid to details and originality. A true passion of mine.
This is an Illinois ?Guardian model wristwatch. This is another difficult to find Illinios watch, I have seen less than 10 examples of this case style with the Guardian Rotating Disc? often confused with the Speedway!
Look at what makes this model so distinctive, the ?Rotating Second Hand Disc? slang terms for this feature, ?Wandering Second? . It is what this watch so desirable, the incredible condition of the case and of course the beautiful dial and hands. A true horological heirloom treasure.
This one has an excellent unpolished WGF case and an amazing refinished dial that adds quiet elegance and preservation. This case typically has severe corner wear, but this watch case has remarkably no wear. A true rarity.
Use the pictures as part of your description, pictures are a great way to discern quality and condition.
This is what I have addressed on the watch:
Complete Tear Down Mechanical Service
Dial, hands and second hand disc were professionally refinished
Case Hand Polished and gently restored
New 16MM Alligator
New Old Stock Crystal
New Watch Band Pins
The Illinois Watch Company is, without question, one of the jewels in the crown of American Watch Houses. Organized in Springfield, Ill. shortly after the Civil War, the company turned out during its 58-year run some of the most magnificent timepieces ever to come to light in this country. Pocket watches with names such as "Bunn Special," "Sangamo Special" and "Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire" and wristwatches such as the "Piccadilly," "Marquis" and "Speedway" ? all went from innovation, to wide reception to legend. Illinois was farsighted enough to be one of the first American manufacturers to chase the silly idea of marketing a wristlet for men.
Having made "convertible wristlets" for women, which could be used as a pendant, hung from a pin or worn with a cord or chain around the wrist, Illinois saw the rabid reception that wristlets received during WWI and felt the time had come for expanded wristwatch manufacture.
Illinois Watch Company, known for their obsessive attention to detail, produced watches that were exciting, elegant, and extraordinarily well-crafted. Today these watches are prized by collectors and designers for their look and reliability.
With a look that exemplifies the Deco movement, this exceedingly desirable white gold-filled ?Guardian? wristwatch has everything going for it: a great maker, superb condition, and extreme Deco styling. This model is as grand and mesmeric as its name implies. Considered one of the most attractive American Deco wristwatches, it features a mesmeric shape that well-suites the wrist; a carved relief bezel and second disc at 6 o?clock. Also featuring uncommon black enameling in a most handsome Deco pattern, the watch is remarkably condition.
We've taken the liberty of completely cleaning, oiling and calibrating the original 17 ruby jewel movement so that it keeps time as it was intended
Movement 5371357
307
17 Jewel
Beautiful Movement decoration

See Description