Hamilton manufactured 7,500 of the model 401 movement. When Hamilton purchased Illinois watch company in 1927, the Company entered the wristwatch or bracelet market with Illinois designs and movements.
Little difference exists between the 401 and the Illinois 207. One immediate feature stands out – the 207 used 17 “bezel-type” jewels, while the 401 had 19 “friction-type” jewels. The bezeled jewel has a ring around the jewel hole and is held in place by two screws. The friction hole keeps the jewel in place by the friction between the jewel and the bridge.
The 207 was the ebauche for the 401. Hamilton changed the bridges and plates and added four jewels to the 207.
The 401 movement came with 19 rubies and sapphire jewels, a double roller escapement, sapphire roller and pallet jewels, the Breguet hairspring, and a gold center wheel. The 401 was a size 12/0 caliber movement. The design preceded the popular 980, 982 and 982M 14/0 movements, which became Hamilton’s stock and barrel.
Hamilton realized that people wanted the tank watch design instead of the larger 987 6/0 round movements. In 1935, Hamilton released a popular priced line of watches with cheaper 10K gold filled cases. Ironically, Hamilton produced their finest wristwatch movement, the round model 987A released in 1936. The US and British militaries chose the 987A for their standard issue wristwatch.
As stated above, the 401 went into six models, which include the Andrews, Stanley, Livingstone, Byrd, Ericsson, and Wilkinson – early 1930’s. Hamilton established themselves as the premiere American watch with the release of those models.
Another ironic fact -Hamilton manufactured the Illinois 207 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hamilton shutdown the Illinois factory in 1932. Hamilton kept the brand name and the outstanding wristwatch design team from Illinois, but the continued Illinois line of wristwatches were strictly Hamilton made.
The photos below provide an excellent view of the two movements.
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| Illinois movement in excellent condition |
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| A well maintained version |
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| Illinois |
These watches look like cousins to me. What do you think?
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| Hamilton Wilkinson |
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