Illinois · 21 jewels · 16s · 1913–1930s
The Santa Fe Special wasn't the Santa Fe Railway's own watch. It was the private-label watch of the Santa Fe Watch Company, a mail-order jeweler in Topeka, Kansas, and Illinois built the movements. Owner Alonzo S. Thomas had worked as a traveling time inspector on the Santa Fe Railway under Henry S. Montgomery, and he launched the watch on November 5, 1913, aimed at Santa Fe men. The usual one is a 16-size, 21-jewel, lever-set open-face watch, Illinois grade 806, sold in a Santa Fe Watch Co. gold-filled case and paid for in monthly installments. Many buyers ordered the case with an inlaid enamel monogram, lodge emblem or railroad herald. The movement says Adjusted to Temperature and Positions without a number, and researchers think it was three, enough for the Santa Fe Railway but not for most other lines. Collectors look for triple-signed watches, with Santa Fe Special on the dial and movement and the company name inside the case.
The grade
The Santa Fe Special shares Illinois's 16-size Model 9 platform with the 21-jewel Bunn Special and is a lower grade. Most are Illinois grade 806, which Illinois sold under its own name adjusted to three positions, while the Bunn Special was adjusted to six. One run of about 1,000 grade 561 movements was adjusted to five positions. Confirm Santa Fe Special and 21 Jewels on the movement and the Santa Fe Watch Co. name inside the case.
Expect worn case engraving and brass showing on the bezels, pendant and bow after years of carry. A Santa Fe movement in a plain case has lost its triple signature, so check all three parts.
Buying guide
The one we'd buy is the 1916 grade 806 titled serviced and runs, at $559 delivered, the bottom of the band. There are only about 12 for sale and most ask $550–1,025 delivered, with two Australian dealer listings adding $69.80 shipping and a 14K solid gold one at $2,763. A triple-signed watch has Santa Fe Special on the dial and movement and Santa Fe Watch Co. inside the case, so ask for all three photos, and know that the hunting-case versions weren't the railroad setup. Check the seller's feedback on the item page, since eBay's pocket watch search doesn't show it.
$312.50est. delivered
Titled 21 jewels in gold filled, with bidding at $313 delivered after 15 bids. It says grade 809 instead of the usual 806, so confirm Santa Fe Special on the movement and stop near $550, the bottom of the band.
16s ILLINOIS 809 21 JEWEL SANTA FE SPECIAL GOLD FILLED RAILROAD RR POCKET WATCH
$558.65est. delivered
A 1916 grade 806 with 21 jewels, titled serviced and runs, at $559 delivered, the bottom of the band, and eBay lists it as refurbished. Ask what the case is and whether it's marked Santa Fe Watch Co.
!Serviced! 1916 Illinois Santa Fe Special Pocket Watch, 21j, 16s, Gr. 806, Runs
$559.24est. delivered
Titled a very nice runner in a Santa Fe 25-year gold-filled case, at $559 delivered. Ask for a movement photo to confirm 21 Jewels and grade 806.
ILLINOIS “SANTA FE SPECIAL”21 JEWEL WITH SANTA FE 25 YEAR CASE VERY NICE RUNNER
$558.65est. delivered
The only Santa Fe Special here titled serviced, so it's the one most likely to run well out of the box. Wind it fully and check it against your phone for a day.
!Serviced! 1916 Illinois Santa Fe Special Pocket Watch, 21j, 16s, Gr. 806, Runs
$795.00delivered
Titled triple signed with a Montgomery dial, the combination Santa Fe collectors look for, with no bids yet at $795 delivered. It's a hunting case, which wasn't the railroad setup, so we'd stop near $1,025, the top of the band.
TRIPLE SIGNED HUNTER CASE MONTGOMERY DIAL SANTA FE SPECIAL Illinois Pocketwatch!
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$312.50est. delivered
$305.00 + $7.50 shipping
Auction · 15 bids
Good buy
Titled grade 809, gold filled. The usual Santa Fe grade is 806, so check the plate.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Serviced$558.65est. delivered
$550.00 + $8.65 shipping
Buy It Now$550.00
Good buy
1916 grade 806, titled serviced and runs. Listed refurbished.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$559.24est. delivered
$550.00 + $9.24 shipping
Buy It Now$550.00
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
In a Santa Fe 25-year case, titled a very nice runner.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$795.00delivered
$795.00 · free shipping
Auction · no bids yet
Good buy
Triple signed, Montgomery dial, hunting case. No bids yet.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$434.83est. delivered
$425.88 + $8.95 shipping
Buy It Now$425.88
Our take
Hunting case in 10K gold filled, which wasn't the railroad setup.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$562.17est. delivered
$509.51 + $52.66 shipping
Buy It Now$509.51
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 1919 and Ben Hur fraternity. $52.66 shipping from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$640.00est. delivered
$625.00 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$625.00
Our take
1916 grade 806, titled runs and "2 solid gold plates". Ask what the case is.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$2,762.65delivered
$2,762.65 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,762.65
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 14K gold, not gold filled, which explains the ask.
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.
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