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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour Mark 163 pocket watch

Partially verified

This early 20th-century Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch dates to circa 1929 and is catalogued as a 163 Type 1 variant. The source reports that the timepiece is housed in a 14K gold filled Model 28 case with a screw-on bezel and back, measuring 51 mm wide by 15 mm deep. Its double-sunk white enamel dial displays bold Arabic numerals, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The stem-wound, lever-set movement reportedly features 23 jewels, a 60-hour motor barrel, a 3/4 plate construction with ray damascening, red enamel lettering, and adjustments to temperature and six positions.

Front view of the Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch showing dial, hands, bezel, and bow
Front view of the Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch showing dial, hands, bezel, and bow — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co
Reference
163 Type 1
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.300 (AB-151025)
Source-reported date
c1929
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
5375549

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visible Exterior Construction

Direct visual inspection reveals a double-sunk white enamel dial displaying prominent black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial recessed at the 6 o'clock position. The dial features blued steel hands including a spade hour hand, a whip minute hand, and a subsidiary seconds hand. The front glass is mounted within a bezel that displays a carved patterned rim around its outer edge.

A fluted winding crown is positioned beneath a flared decorative bow with wide shoulders. According to the seller's documentation, the dial is signed “Illinois Bunn Special, 23 Jewel 60 Hours” and fitted with mineral glass, though the dial signature is obscured by the hands in the single provided frontal image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Double-sunk white enamel dial with large black Arabic numerals and outer minute track”
  • “Blued steel spade hour hand, whip minute hand, and subsidiary seconds hand”
  • “Carved patterned rim along the outer circumference of the bezel”
  • “The dial is signed “Illinois Bunn Special, 23 Jewel 60 Hours””
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

Because the movement is not visible in the provided photograph, internal mechanical specifications derive entirely from the seller's listing. The movement is reported to be an open-face, stem-wound and lever-set mechanism built on a nickel three-quarter plate configuration. The vendor states it features a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, ray damascening, red enamel lettering, gold train wheels, and raised gold jewel settings.

The movement is noted by the dealer to bear serial number 5375549 and the signature: “Sixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels, 163”. The listing identifies the variant as a 163 Type 1 dating to circa 1929.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement – this is a superb high quality nickel ¾ plate movement which has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator, decorated with ray damascening, red enamel lettering, gold train wheels and raised gold jewel settings.”
  • “The movement is signed “Sixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels, 163” # 5375549.”
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “This is one of the rarest Bunn Special variants – 163 Type 1.”

Case Architecture and Verification Constraints

The seller describes the housing as a 14K gold filled case signed "Illinois Bunn Special, Case Model 28", measuring 51 mm wide by 15 mm deep. The case is catalogued as having a screw-on bezel and back, carved edges, flared shoulders at the bow, and a smooth plain finish across the remainder of the body.

Physical verification from the record is constrained by the presence of only a single front photograph. The case back, internal case trademarks, movement engravings, and lever slot beneath the bezel are not shown, leaving the dealer's condition ratings and specific technical designations unverified by direct observation.

Evidence for this section
  • “14K gold filled case signed, Illinois Bunn Special, Case Model 28.”
  • “The case has a screw on back and bezel with carved edges and flared shoulder by the bow.”
  • “The rest of the case has a smooth plain finish”
  • “The watch measures 51mm wide x 15mm deep”

Open research questions

  • Does direct physical inspection of the movement plate confirm the serial number 5375549 and the stamped '163' model designation?
  • Do internal case hallmarks verify the reported 14K gold-filled composition and 'Case Model 28' signature?
  • Does unthreading the bezel reveal the physical lever setting mechanism required for railroad-grade watches of this period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour Mark 163 pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial Number5375549“# 5375549”
Movement InscriptionSixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels, 163“The movement is signed “Sixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels, 163””
Case Specification14K gold filled, Case Model 28“14K gold filled case signed, Illinois Bunn Special, Case Model 28”
Dimensions51mm wide x 15mm deep“The watch measures 51mm wide x 15mm deep”
Winding and SettingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Listing Identifier4.300 (AB-151025)“Code 4.300 (AB-151025)”

Visible details

  • Double-sunk white enamel dial with large black Arabic numerals and outer minute track
  • Blued steel spade hour hand, whip minute hand, and subsidiary seconds hand
  • Flared decorative bow situated above a fluted winding crown
  • Carved patterned rim along the outer circumference of the bezel

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the provided photograph; movement details rely entirely on seller descriptions.
  • The case back is not shown in the provided image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Rare 16s 23J Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour Mark 163 pocket watch c1929 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 874d512058

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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