Up for auction is a vintage Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour railroad-grade pocket watch, dating to approximately 1927. This is a desirable 16 size, 21 jewel, Model 14, Type III Bunn Special movement with movement serial number 4998808
The watch is currently running at the time of listing. However, due to the high volume of watches we process, we do not test or guarantee timekeeping accuracy. The watch has not been represented as recently serviced unless specifically stated, and a cleaning/service may be appropriate for regular use.
WATCH DETAILS:
These specifications are consistent with documented Illinois Bunn Special Type III 60-hour movements from this period.
MOVEMENT MARKINGS:
The beautifully finished movement is prominently marked:
“SIXTY HOUR”
“Bunn Special”
“ILLINOIS WATCH CO.”
“SPRINGFIELD”
“MOTOR BARREL”
“21 JEWELS”
“ADJUSTED TEMP AND SIX POSITIONS”
Movement serial number 4998808 is clearly visible along the edge of the movement.
The movement features attractive patterned damaskeening across the plates, visible ruby jewels, and gold-colored jewel settings. Please examine the movement photographs closely for the cosmetic condition and details.
DIAL & HANDS:
The watch has a white Illinois-signed railroad-style dial with large, bold black Arabic numerals, black minute markers, and triangular five-minute indicators around the outer track. It has a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock.
The dial shows age-related wear/marks, including visible discoloration or spotting in places. Please enlarge and review the photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
CASE & CASE ENGRAVINGS:
The watch is housed in a Wadsworth Quality 14 Karat Gold Filled open-face case. The exterior has an attractive decorative geometric border around the bezel and case edges. The rear cover itself is plain and not monogrammed, making it especially appealing for collectors who prefer an unpersonalized exterior.
The inside of the case back contains several important factory markings and additional hand-scratched/watchmaker markings.
The factory engraving reads:
“Bunn Special”
“MODEL”
and:
“Wadsworth”
“QUALITY”
“14 KARAT”
“GOLD FILLED”
“PAT’S PEND’G”
There are also factory-stamped/engraved numbers beneath the Wadsworth marking. In addition, the inside cover contains several hand-scratched watchmaker/service marks and numbers, including a vertically written notation that appears to read “3712305-779”, along with other smaller numbers/marks. Some of these old service marks are faint, so please use the close-up photograph as the definitive reference.
These hand-scratched numbers are typical of marks historically left inside watch cases by watchmakers during servicing and repair. They are part of the watch’s history rather than exterior decoration.
The case shows normal age-related use, including scratches, scuffs, discoloration, tarnish and areas of finish wear consistent with a vintage pocket watch approaching 100 years old. Please review all photographs closely for the exact cosmetic condition.
CONDITION / IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This is an approximately 1927 Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour railroad-grade pocket watch with a 21-jewel movement and Wadsworth 14K gold-filled Bunn Special Model case. Comparable period examples are also documented as 16-size, 21-jewel, 60-hour railroad watches.
The watch is currently running at the time of listing. Due to the high volume of watches we process, we do not test or guarantee timekeeping accuracy.
Please carefully examine all photos before bidding. The photographs are considered an important part of the description and are the best representation of the watch’s overall cosmetic condition.
A very collectible American railroad pocket watch and an excellent example of Illinois Watch Company’s famous Bunn Special 60 Hour line.
Combined shipping is available with our other pocket watches. We currently have both running and non-running pocket watches up for auction, so please check our other listings.