Description

Folks we have a truly exceptional offering for your consideration in this Illinois 21 Jewel Bunn Special Type IIB, Elinvar, with 60 Hour Motor Barrel circa 1932. This highest grade Illinois Pocket Watch is lever set and stem wound and is a size 16 measuring 2 inches in diameter, the most popular of sizes. The Illinois Watch Company has developed a very strong collector market for their high grade pocket watches both innovative and beautiful timepieces. Production of this Bunn Special Type IIB was limited to only 16,550 from 1931 through 1948 keeping the collector market strong for this fine Bunn Special. The Illinois Watch Company offered the finest in Railroad Grade Pocket Watches and we have an excellent example with this desired configuration: stunning Illinois Type IIB, 21 Jewel, Elinvar Movement, pristine double sunk Montgomery dial and housed in this Star Watch Case Company 10K Gold Fill Case. This fine timepiece is highlighted with the beautifully heat treated blued Steel spade whip style railroad hands. This is both an exceptional and collectable Railroad Pocket Watch. I so hope the many pictures and extreme magnification help in the description this truly fine Illinois Bunn Special Pocket Watch.

This Illinois 21 Jewel Bunn Special Type IIB, Grade 161A Movement is in pristine condition without reckless jewelers tool marks or corrosion. The Nickel Silver ¾ Plate Movement has the beautiful and ornate damasking pattern referred to as a “sunburst” design. Then we have the 21 Ruby Jewels, 60 Hour Motor Barrel, Elinvar Hairspring adjusted to 6 positions with a Double Roller. This fine movement is also adjusted to temperature and 6 positions. We also have a high grade micro regulator, gold balance weights, with raised Gold cup screw settings, gold center wheel and train and is lever set and stem wound with a steel escapement. This Illinois Bunn Special has just been serviced and is an excellent timekeeper as designed.

This Illinois Bunn Special is faced with this pristine Montgomery Double Sunk Porcelain Dial. This font is referred to as a Boxcar Railroad style font. This Montgomery dial has each minute marker around the outer circumference, the height of functionality. The Double Sunk dial has the recessed center chapter with the Illinois logo in the block font. Then we have the raised outer chapter for the “Boxcar” stylized Arabic font numerals with the Montgomery treatment. Then we have a recessed sub chapter for the second hand. These fine dials were made using 3 copper plates soldered together then baked with many layers of Silica giving the dial that deep rich porcelain finish. This classic Illinois railroad dial both beautiful and the height of functionality. This fine dial is highlighted with the original beautifully heat-treated blued Steel spade whip railroad hands. The classic Illinois Railroad Pocket Watch holds both a piece of both American and Horologic History. 

This is an excellent example of the late 19th early 20th Century ingenuity that made the American pocket watch a worldwide standard for beauty and accuracy in timekeeping.

This Illinois Pocket Watch has just been cleaned, oiled and adjusted for accuracy. This entails a complete disassembly, all parts cleaned in an ultrasonic bath, and reassembled using the finest watch oil and gear grease.

This antique Illinois Pocket Watch is warranted for one full year from the date of purchase.