This rare Illinois Grade 174 Model 5 is one of only 19,420 made and was manufactured in 1902 during a quiet time in American history before the storms of world war shook the globe. 1902 was a year of some incredible firsts, including the development of air conditioning by Willis Carrier, and Teddy Roosevelt became the first president to ride in a car. 

This watch features a stunning double sunk dial with highly desired Roman numerals and highlighted with exquisite Breguet Moon hands. A watch from this period with the Roman numerals is a scarce find these days. At the turn of the century, railroad grade watches with their required Arabic numeral font eclipsed the Roman numeral font in popularity. 

This was also a time when the pocket watch was as popular as a smartphone is today. The Roman numeral font has witnessed a resurgence in popularity due to its elegant appearance that gives the watch a sense of early twentieth-century gravitas. 

The movement is lever set, a typical feature of earlier pocket watches. It shows beautifully as the warmth of its case and dial emanates, giving it a rich viewing experience. This watch makes a wonderful addition to any collection or as an heirloom gift to someone special because of its rich history and appearance.