Illinois · 23 jewels · 16s · 1913–1930
Illinois introduced the Sangamo Special in 1913 as its new premier 16-size movement for railroad service, and it was considered the company's finest railroad watch. It came with 19, 21 or 23 jewels, adjusted to temperature and six positions. The finishing goes further than on the Bunn Special, with gold train wheels, gold jewel settings and polished flat-head screws, and many early ones have a diamond end stone. The 23-jewel got a motor barrel in the Model 10 of 1917. In 1923 the Model 13 gave it a 60-hour mainspring, a year before any Bunn Special had one, and Illinois advertised the 60-hour Sangamo Special from 1926. Illinois dropped the grade at the end of 1930, so the run is short next to the Bunn Special's. Don't mix it up with the plain Sangamo, an older 16-size railroad grade made from 1897 to 1913 in 21 and 23 jewels. The word Special on the plate is the difference.
The grade
The Sangamo Special sat above the Bunn Special as Illinois's best railroad watch, in 19, 21 and 23 jewels, and nearly all are adjusted to six positions. The 23-jewel got a motor barrel in the Model 10 of 1917 and a 60-hour spring in the Model 13 of 1923. The older plain Sangamo of 1897 to 1913 is a different grade. Confirm Sangamo Special and the jewel count on the movement, and look for Motor Barrel on the later versions.
Enamel dials pick up hairlines, and gold-filled cases show brass at the edges and bow. On a movement finished this finely, scratched plates and mismatched screws take away more than they would on a plainer grade.
Buying guide
The one we'd buy is the 23-jewel titled serviced, at $1,003 delivered from the UK, the bottom of the band. There are about 23 for sale and most ask $1,000–1,525 delivered, with three 60-hour watches asking $1,850–2,380. Sellers mostly title these 17 size, so check the movement photo against the catalog's 16-size spec and make sure it reads Sangamo Special, since a plain Sangamo is the older grade, with gold train wheels and, on a 60-hour claim, the 60-hour marking. Check the seller's feedback on the item page, and budget for possible import duty on the UK watch.
$590.00est. delivered
The lowest ask at $590 delivered, about $400 under the band, but the title gives only the name and size. Ask for a movement photo showing Sangamo Special and the jewel count, since the grade came in 19, 21 and 23 jewels, and budget for a service.
ILLINOIS SANGAMO SPECIAL SIZE 16 POCKET WATCH
$1,003.16est. delivered
Titled 23 jewels and serviced at $1,003 delivered, the bottom of the band, and eBay lists it as refurbished. It ships from the UK, so budget for possible import duty and ask what the service covered.
Illinois 23 jewel Sangamo Special railroad pocket watch, Serviced!
$1,003.16est. delivered
The lowest-priced Sangamo Special here titled serviced, so it's the one most likely to run well when it arrives. Wind it fully and check it against your phone for a day.
Illinois 23 jewel Sangamo Special railroad pocket watch, Serviced!
$1,484.95est. delivered
Titled with a railroad dial and a Sangamo case, at $1,485 delivered, inside the band. A factory Sangamo Special case is the best match for this movement, so ask for a photo of the marking inside the back.
POCKET WATCH ILLINOIS SANGAMO SPECIAL 23j RAILROAD DIAL SANGAMO CASE ! g9
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$590.00est. delivered
$575.00 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$575.00
Good buy
Titled size 16, with no jewel count. Not titled running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Serviced$1,003.16est. delivered
$944.93 + $58.23 shipping
Buy It Now$944.93
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled 23 jewels and serviced. Ships from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,484.95est. delivered
$1,475.00 + $9.95 shipping
Buy It Now$1,475.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Railroad dial and a Sangamo case, as titled.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$890.00est. delivered
$870.00 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$870.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 23 jewels, unmarked 60 hour, 17 size. Ask how it's known to be 60 hour.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,299.99delivered
$1,299.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,299.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1923, 23 jewels, titled 17 size, in a Wadsworth thick-bow case.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,375.00est. delivered
$1,350.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,350.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 23 jewels, marked 60 hour, 17 size.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,432.94est. delivered
$1,424.95 + $7.99 shipping
Buy It Now$1,424.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1920, 23 jewels, gold filled. Not titled running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Serviced$2,378.75est. delivered
$2,369.00 + $9.75 shipping
Buy It Now$2,369.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
60 hour and titled serviced, about $850 over the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchIllinois · Bunn Special
Railroad grade16s · 23 jewels
$850–$1,025 typical ask
Illinois · Bunn Special
Railroad grade16s · 23 jewels
$600–$1,700 typical ask
Illinois · Bunn Special
Railroad grade16s · 21 jewels
$410–$575 typical ask
Waltham · Vanguard
Railroad grade16s · 23 jewels
$370–$525 typical ask