Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

No, dials can be switched around after 100 years.......The Gothic font could date the dial, within 20-30 years, but it changed, also, even within the Gothic design.

Fun Fact: The dial arrows (arrow markers on your dial’s hour markers) face inwards.



When Hamilton bought Illinois, they changed these markers to face outwards. This is my 1929 Bunn Special Type 111b, post-Hamilton takeover, with hour makers facing out

Yet another Bunn Special, 21-jewel, 18-size model. From the pocketwatchdatabase. When compared to the sixth model as posted by @TexOmega, the finish is different on this one, even though it also is a 6th model. It might indicate that cosmetics differed between watches in a given grade.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/1916379

Here is yet another 18-size Illinois. This one is a model 3, fifth pinion model. When Illinois wanted to introduce an open faced model to their product line, they decided do it by modifying a hunter cased model 2. On a hunter cased model, the crown is at the 3 position, while an open faced model has the crown at the 12. Illinois modified a model 2 movement by adding a fifth pinion opposite the 3rd wheel from the 4th wheel, resulting in a hunter cased movement suitable for an open faced case, with the seconds hand in the right place on the dial. The converted model 2 movement was rotated 90° counter clockwise so the crown ended up at the 12. On the image of the movement, the red arrow points at the top jewel of the fourth wheel arbor. The fourth wheel is driven by the third wheel, and it normally carries the seconds hand. That would put the seconds hand in the wrong place on an open faced watch. Illinois added a fifth pinion (an idler pinion) run by the third wheel, 180° (approximately) from the fourth wheel pinion. This 5th pinion is marked by the white arrow. Since the model 3 was a modified model 2 (a transitional stem winder which can also be wound with a key), the blue arrow points at the escutcheon at the arbor used to wind the watch with a key. This one is from circa 1880, and is listed with a “coarse train” which means 14,400 beats per hour rather than the usual 18,000 bph.

As a side note, the location of the seconds bit on the dial of a model 3 is closer to the centre of the dial than it is on any other 18-size Illinois. Compare the location of this seconds bit on this model 3 with the other 18-size Illinois models shown here.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/224297

Thanks for adding that knowledge to my brain. I really like that style of the case especially the crown guards. Is there a name for that type of the case?

I saw that the same auction house sold this one in August last year and it looks very nice. If I only had this knowledge a bit earlier :/

Shouldered

Cases

A 16-size, 23-jewel, 60-hour Bunn Specia listed for $ 6,200 and change, recently. Condition just as nice as the one bought by @Kapka , but for mere pennies by comparison. So much an indication of the bargain he bought his for! Probably a number of folks saw the listing but wouldn’t chance it without a picture. @Kapka should get accustomed to the idea that rarely is there a bargain on goods such as his Illinois. Prepare to shell out! This one was produced by Hamilton after they bought Illinois.

From the internet.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/trade-names/winnebago

The s# 726732 shows up on the pocketwatchdatabase site using the serial number under Rockford, and voila! The listing shows a Winnebago model Rockford.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/rockford/726732

A few from The British Museum

Outstanding! We visited that museum 25 years ago, while on an NAWCC tour. We spent hours in the archives where by far the majority of their horological items are stored. Watches AND clocks.

On that trip, we visited the Usher Gallery in Lincoln, as well.

We visited the Waddesden Manor as well. This edifice was originally located in France, but the Rothschild family had it dismantled brick by brick, and rebuilt in England. Many horological resources there, as well. When we were there, the docent had their watch collection laid out on a pool table for us to see. The docent had been there for a long time, and he told us the museum had never done such a thing for guests.

One item in storage in the British Museum archives is one of the earliest spring driven clocks, built by Jacob the Czech. This was built circa 1520. So over 500 years ago. The arrows point to the components of the verge and foliot escapement. Come to think of it, how did Jacob tell the time?

1949 Ball 999B by Hamilton

An “upgraded” 992B with the typical circular damaskeening pattern seen on Hamilton movements made for Ball. Towards the end of the production, the winding wheels were plain and the gold center wheel was gone. Ball was limping to the finish line with Swiss made movements looming.

I posted this one in an earlier thread. The movement is basically a Hamilton 992 with plate design and cosmetics by Ball. This is a 20th Century model case which originally had a Ball 23-jewel movement in it. The movement in it now is a 21- jewel model, so not correct to this case. This one is an earlier version of the Hamilton Ball than the one posted by @TexOmega. His is basically a 992B, mine is an earlier 992. But the cosmetics are very much alike. Notice that the 5-minute markers on both these watches are ROUND, not rectangular. Seen only on Ball watches to the best of my knowledge.

Hamilton 4992B adds a 22nd jewel, sweep hand and a Hack feature to their 992B to provide a Navigation Watch to Canadian and British pilots.