The Illinois Watch Co. was founded in Springfield Illinois under the name Illinois Springfield Watch Co. It became the Illinois Watch Co. in 1885 and was sold to Hamilton Watch Co. in 1927. Hamilton continued to produce and sell Illinois watches until about 1948 when the brand was finally discontinued. Illinois produced many fine watches and are noted for being the factory that used more names on it's movements than any other manufacturer, Bunn (one of the founders of the company), Bunn Special, A. Lincoln, Burlington etc being amongst the most notable. Total watch production until 1927 was approximately 5,000,000, and between 1927 and 1948 Hamilton produced a further 600,000 Illinois watches.