Echoes of Time: Rediscovering Springfield’s Watchmaking Heritage
On a bright early afternoon, a close friend led me to the historic site on 9th Street in downtown Springfield, where the venerable Illinois Watch Company once stood. As we approached the iconic Clock Tower, a symbol of the city’s rich industrial heritage, I was enveloped by a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the past.
The Illinois Watch Company, originally founded as the Springfield Watch Company in 1869 by John C. Adams and a group of local visionaries, was at the heart of American watchmaking. At its peak from 1900 to 1928, the company was a bustling hub, employing over 1,300 workers and producing up to 800 watches daily, becoming a cornerstone of Sangamon County’s economy.
As we walked through the remnants of the once-thriving factory, my friend shared fascinating stories of the company's resilience and adaptability. Through financial upheavals and two reorganizations, it transformed into the Illinois Watch Company. Under the leadership of Jacob Bunn Sr., and later his son, the focus shifted towards high-quality railroad watches, essential for the safety and punctuality of America’s railroads. These watches were renowned for their reliability in extreme conditions and became a favorite among railroad professionals and adventurers alike.
The company’s journey ended in 1928 when it was absorbed by the Hamilton Watch Company, yet its legacy of precision and innovation left a lasting imprint. As we ended our tour, my friend presented me with a poignant gift: two bricks from the original building, soon to be affected by new rail construction but with the Clock Tower preserved. He also handed me a thick collection of old black and white photographs of the Illinois Watch Company. Holding these photographs, I was transported back in time, able to glimpse the daily lives of those who had walked these halls and crafted these timeless pieces.
Inspired by this rich history and the enduring legacy of the company’s railroad watches, we at Sangamon Watches are thrilled to announce the development of our new collection, "American Railroad." This line draws direct inspiration from the famed Sangamo Special Railroad watch, celebrating the pivotal role of railroads in America's development. The "American Railroad" collection aims to encapsulate the spirit of an era when the railway was America's lifeline, weaving together communities and fostering economic growth.
Significantly, the "American Railroad" collection will be hand-assembled and tested right here in Springfield, IL, by our own professional watchmaker. This marks the first collection of watches assembled locally by our team, adding a personal touch of our dedicated craftsmanship to each timepiece.
This visit and the thoughtful gifts from my friend have deepened my connection to Springfield's watchmaking legacy and inspired the creation of Sangamon Watches. Our watches are crafted as tributes to the spirit of local watchmakers who set the standards of excellence in the industry. With every timepiece, we strive to embody the spirit and dedication of those artisans, ensuring that the spirit of local watchmaking excellence continues to tick forward.
Each Sangamon watch is not just a tool for measuring time but a continuation of a story - a narrative of resilience, innovation, and craftsmanship that honors our city's rich watchmaking tradition. These watches are a promise to honor and carry forward the storied tradition of watchmaking in Springfield, ensuring that its history lives on in each piece we create.