What makes the Springfield 541 unique: Today, we’re delighted to feature this breathtaking wristwatch that boasts an antique pocket watch from 1916 — the Springfield 541. The Illinois Watch Company originally constructed this sophisticated piece, with its handsome dial as well as other eye-catching features. The watch’s dial displays stylized golden numerals and a gray center that look especially pleasing against its cream-colored background. The front of the watch also showcases blued-steel gothic hands and a lovely subdial. We drew further attention to this watch’s elegant dial by encasing it within our robust Bronzed Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown. Our Bronzed Titanium case features a transparent back, enabling you to view its original 415-grade open-face movement with gold-plated gears and 17 jewels. In addition to sumptuous jewels, the movement’s historic center bridge plate also displays a beautiful engraving that reads “The Autocrat.” Finally, we paired this watch with our comfortable and hand-crafted Natural leather watch strap, complementing our Bronzed Titanium case while also emphasizing the pocket watch’s unique dial.

The Illinois Watch Company initially produced this one-of-a-kind watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1916 — the same year that the Original Dixieland Jass Band formed in Chicago. The band got its start playing at Schiller’s Cafe along with drummer and bandleader Johnny Stein, and they were initially called Stein’s Dixie Jazz Band. The band quickly became a sensation with its New Orleans-style Jazz. They received several desirable offers outside of Schiller’s Cafe, but Johnny Stein was contractually obligated to stay. The rest of the band broke off from their original bandleader and formed the Original Dixieland Jass Band. They went on to record the first jazz record to be released commercially, “Livery Stable Blues.”