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SOLD - llinois Bunn Special 21 Jewel Pocket Watch, Railroad Grade

  1. 140dave Nov 12, 2020

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    5C22A9FB-0149-4A21-BF5B-FB6B80D06B71.jpeg Hi OF!
    A little different sales posting, thought I would offer this to the crowd here and see if there is any interest. Forgive the lengthy post, I am going a bit overboard on info assuming not everyone here is an Illinois geek like me.

    Here we have a very nice 21jewel Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch. This was a top watch in its day and was considered “railroad grade” which means it would hold time to within 30seconds per week, approx +/- 4 seconds/day. The 60 hour motor barrel was also a top feature of the day, still a good power reserve by today’s standards

    This particular watch was made in 1929 and is commonly known as the Type IIIB (TIIIB). This is identified by the “Sixty Hour” at the top of the bridge, no other 60 mentioned, and by the “Illinois Watch” under Bunn Special with no “Co”. Earlier variants all say Illinois Watch Co but this was one of the few TIII movements made after the 1928 takeover by Hamilton. There were very few of these produced, around 1200, before they moved to the “161” movements from 1929-1932. This watch comes from the final run before the 161 movement was introduced.

    This example is in great shape and has many rare and desirable features. On these watches the dial and case hold a large portion of the value.

    The Case: It is housed in a near perfect factory model 173 case, the rare 14k white gold filled model. These are very hard to find in as good of shape as this one, The gold plate wears through and the brass underneath really shines through on white gold models where a good polish will hide it on the yellow gold versions. This one has no wear through that I can find, no dents to mention, almost a perfect mirror finish to the back. (When looking at these online always try for a reflection shot, very small imperceptible dents show up giving the reflection a “fun house” mirror effect). Good clean crystal in place, and a tight bow that holds any position wanted. All case parts match; for those unaware there are serial numbers on all 3 pieces of these cases so you can tell if someone put pieces together to make a better looking case.

    The Dial: A beautiful “marked” dial. These dials command a large premium because, well, they are awesome! Stated Illinois Bunn Special, and then 21 Jewel and 60 Hour above the sub second register. This one is in great shape with no cracks or hairlines (small, thin, almost invisible cracks in the porcelain) and just a tiny bit of edgewear. Really fantastic condition.

    The movement: As mentioned a 21jewel TIIIB movement. It is running well with strong beat, starts right up after a few winds, no “shake to start” here. All paint intact, no careless jeweler screw marks, clean screw heads, only flaw I can find is a touch of oxide to the regulator. Really clean and a strong runner.

    The Hands: Proper blued hands (not earlier plum color) with 90% finish intact at least. Really nice, shiny deep blue to complete the set. Now, onto pictures...
    74F542BA-58E0-4BD6-A05C-41D966D2BFC1.jpeg
    dial shots, no crystal to interfere with view, case body serial visible between 5:00-6:00 on the case band 5557EE36-0D94-4BF6-B512-F64D8596E297.jpeg A2D67B40-F973-48A5-8A0F-EC26D95FD1B8.jpeg
    Case shots 9841CA88-9685-4F6A-B834-37A1B39FAC13.jpeg C9582A5B-71AB-4429-A455-E004394FA57E.jpeg 325B3279-1FEF-41A9-B808-01397DC8DC94.jpeg 84964555-864F-40D9-A4B3-5866FF12B8E5.jpeg 5C6D42D5-AC00-4832-B97E-9EEFFB26703C.jpeg
    movement F80D2575-CFB7-4FDF-AA27-849F3A8D8D70.jpeg F5C4EB81-A4B2-4127-A545-600484412177.jpeg
    Highlighting oxide on regulator 32131E38-123A-4283-BB30-AE25FFD6CC9F.jpeg
    Case back reflection 5D58E5B9-8BAB-4D89-BEB2-4D8A9E9137B5.jpeg
    Inside of caseback 7849BA28-2D7C-4A36-BD04-8928669CB97E.jpeg So really a stunning piece IMO

    Offered to OF members for $500 (net to me) which will include shipping within the USA. I would prefer US sales as I am a bit unfamiliar with shipping internationally, if I do ship internationally that will be additional at cost. PayPal F&F is preferred, but can take goods and services as long as it is $500 net to me. My first sale here on OF so I want to give you all the safety measures possible to set your mind at ease. I have 20years of perfect eBay feedback under seller “dperie” but here I am usually a buyer not a seller.

    Selling to help fund a vintage Speedy purchase as I slowly change the focus of my collection from pocket to wrist. Thanks OF for the space.

    Questions, or did I forget something? Fire away, here to help. :)
     
  2. Lonestar insert Schwartz joke HERE Nov 13, 2020

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    I am not a pocket watch kind of guy... But I might be feeling some regrets looking at this::love::


    GLWS and have a free bump on me!!!
     
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  3. Canuck Nov 13, 2020

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    Great watch! Good price! Unlikely to last very long! Damn. I’m in Canada!
     
    140dave likes this.
  4. wagudc Nov 13, 2020

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    He only says that he "prefers" US sales because of the hassle of international shipping. I think shipping USA to Canada is easy.
     
    140dave likes this.
  5. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Nov 13, 2020

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    Hey... @DaveK you lookin at this?
     
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  6. 140dave Nov 13, 2020

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    Shipping to Canada is no issue just may cost an extra couple of bucks. I am not sure how to quote international so said US preferred but I can ship elsewhere, It just may take a day longer for me to go to the PO instead of mailing from home.
     
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  7. amcclell Nov 14, 2020

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    A lovely watch - congratulations to the buyer. As a Canadian who has purchased numerous items from the USA, USPS is pretty slow but FedEx works great.
     
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  8. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Nov 14, 2020

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    Lets not be slaggin the USPS... it always gets me my watch and motorcycle stuff in under a week.

    now Canada Post, there’s another story... let the slaggin begin!
     
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  9. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Nov 14, 2020

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  10. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Nov 14, 2020

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    What the hell.... how did I manage that?
     
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  11. amcclell Nov 14, 2020

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    That is precisely the issue, as Canada Post handles the delivery on our side, so between USPS, the border, Canada Customs and Canada Post, you want to have lots of patience. Pre-Covid, USPS/Can Post was my preferred choice but now, I just pay the extra and parcels arrive in a couple of days.
     
  12. Canuck Nov 14, 2020

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    I guess I can post this now. From the Illinois “blue book” by Meggers & Ehrhardt. The information matches the subject watch, even thought the serial number range of the subject watch is not included in the listing.

    E2A329D0-3C83-4E3D-A187-2E043E8D1AE4.jpeg
     
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  13. 140dave Nov 14, 2020

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    And if you want to get real technical, here are the Illinois production records for 1929 showing this run. You will see the next run of 21j Bunns contains many “types” in the run, that was the first run of the 161 model.
    EDBFFF82-49B0-48AF-8F24-C29CACDC8CE3.jpeg
     
  14. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Nov 14, 2020

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    Thank you buyer. I was getting ready to pick up another watch I don’t need.
     
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  15. DaveK Yoda of Yodelers Nov 14, 2020

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    You are most welcome Larry :thumbsup:

    And ::psy:: That’s all I have to say!
     
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  16. 140dave Nov 14, 2020

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    And sold, not saying to whom but you may be able to figure that out... :whistling:

    Thanks OF for the space.
     
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  17. Canuck Nov 14, 2020

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    I can recommend one of the mystery leather lanyards made by @DaveK to the purchaser of the Illinois!:) I’m wearing mine today on my Waltham Vanguard.
     
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  18. DaveK Yoda of Yodelers Nov 14, 2020

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    Great idea :thumbsup: I’ll talk to him, maybe he’ll give me a deal
     
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  19. DaveK Yoda of Yodelers Nov 14, 2020

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    ::psy:: Thank you OF for this community, and @140dave for the opportunity
     
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  20. Canuck Nov 14, 2020

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    I’m glad I checked! It is actually my Hamilton 950B that is on my lanyard. A sign of to many pocket watches, and an all too short memory!

    0A5370B3-50EA-4E23-8F9A-608E3CDD4178.jpeg
     
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