The Railroad Watch is a particularly American institution. These pocket watches were built, tested and regularly checked by railway Time Inspectors to make sure they conformed to rigid specifications. It cannot be emphasized enough how important Railroad Watches were to the safety of train passengers and freight during the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Railroad Watches’ quality, dependability and accuracy made them world famous. They were an important make that life-or-death tool for railways workers, and a constant source of pride and delight for the general public.

The Illinois Watch Company manufactured some of America’s best Railroad Watches. Produced from 1893 to 1923, the Bunn Special Railroad Grade Pocket Watch is generally recognized as a unimpeachable example of the genre.

This watch was manufactured around 1903, during the Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Grade Pocket Watch’s heyday. It boasts a pristine Bunn movement, cherished for its simplicity and durability. The unblemished enamel dial features the highly collectible Heavy Gothic script with its flamboyant numbers. The perfectly judged balance between the main dial and the seconds sub-dial – circumnavigated by pristine blued hands – complete a pocket watch of true class and distinction.

The Bunn Special Railroad Grade Pocket Watch nestles inside a period-correct Crescent Watch Case Co. sterling silver case, held firmly in place by an immaculate custom coin-edge bezel (not glued down like many). It’s the ideal size for dependable daily carry or pride of place on a desktop. It’s a sturdy yet beautiful watch from generations past, for generations to come.