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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour Mark III pocket watch

Partially verified

This Illinois Bunn Special Mark III open-face pocket watch, dating to circa 1929 according to the source dealer, is cased in a two-tone 14K white and yellow gold-filled Model 28 case. It measures 52 mm wide by 14 mm deep and features a screw bezel and back with carved borders and flared shoulders flanking the bow. The double-sunk white enamel dial presents upright Arabic numerals, triangular outer five-minute markings, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial lettered '23 JEWEL 60 HOUR'. According to dealer documentation, the stem-wound, lever-set nickel three-quarter plate movement carries serial number 5180561, 23 jewels, and adjustments to temperature and six positions.

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

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co
Reference
Model 28
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.303 (AB-151028)
Source-reported date
c. 1929
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
5180561

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

Case Construction and Exterior Presentation

The pocket watch is housed in an open-face casing measuring 52 mm wide by 14 mm deep. The dealer documents the housing as a 'two tone 14K white and yellow gold filled case signed, Illinois Bunn Special Model 28'. Visible external examination corroborates a two-tone design, presenting a yellow-toned crown and bow against a white-toned bezel with engraved border patterning.

According to the seller description, the case incorporates a screw-on bezel and back displaying 'carved edges and has flared shoulders by the bow', with the remaining surface showing a smooth plain finish and enclosing a mineral glass crystal. Subjective dealer claims asserting a 'mirror finish' and 99% mint condition reflect seller sales assessments rather than verified physical standards.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 52mm wide x 14mm deep”
  • “two tone 14K white and yellow gold filled case signed, Illinois Bunn Special Model 28”
  • “Two-tone metal casing displaying a yellow-toned crown and bow against a white-toned bezel with engraved border patterning.”

Dial and Hands

The dial is a double-sunk white enamel design fitted with a set of blued steel hands, comprising a spade hour hand, a matching minute hand, and a subsidiary seconds hand. The primary dial presents bold black upright Arabic hour numerals bordered by an outer minute track featuring prominent triangular five-minute markers.

Positioned at 6 o'clock, the sunken subsidiary seconds dial is marked with black numerical tens markers and displays an arched inscription reading '23 JEWEL 60 HOUR' positioned directly above the subdial register. The seller transcribes the broader dial signature as 'Illinois Bunn Special, 23 Jewel 60 Hours'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face dial featuring bold black upright Arabic hour numerals and an outer minute track with prominent triangular five-minute markers.”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with black numerical tens markers and an arched inscription reading '23 JEWEL 60 HOUR' above.”
  • “Blued spade hour hand, matching blued minute hand, and a blued subsidiary seconds hand.”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

The timepiece operates via stem winding and lever setting. The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided exterior photograph, and all movement specifications derive exclusively from seller reporting.

The vendor catalogs a 16-size, 23-jewel nickel three-quarter plate movement equipped with a lever escapement and micrometer regulator, decorated with ray damascening, red enamel lettering, gold train wheels, and raised gold jewel settings. The dealer records the plate signature as 'Sixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels' with serial number 5180561, attributed to circa 1929.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “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” # 5180561.”

Open research questions

  • Does direct physical inspection of movement serial number 5180561 confirm factory production alignment with the circa 1929 attribution reported by the dealer?
  • What specific manufacturer hallmarks, trademarks, and serial markings are stamped on the interior of the Model 28 case back?
  • Does inspection beneath the screw bezel reveal the physical setting lever slot confirming factory case matching?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hour Mark III pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement signatureSixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels“The movement is signed “Sixty Hour, Bunn Special, Illinois Watch Co Springfield, Adjusted Temp & Six positions, Motor Barrel, 23 Jewels””
Movement serial number5180561“# 5180561”
Case specificationTwo-tone 14K white and yellow gold filled case signed Illinois Bunn Special Model 28“two tone 14K white and yellow gold filled case signed, Illinois Bunn Special Model 28”
Dimensions52 mm wide by 14 mm deep“The watch measures 52mm wide x 14mm deep”
Winding and settingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Crystal materialMineral glass“The watch has a mineral glass”
Movement plate layoutNickel 3/4 plate“nickel ¾ plate movement”
Movement regulation and escapementLever escapement with micrometer regulator“lever escapement with a micrometer regulator”

Visible details

  • Open-face dial featuring bold black upright Arabic hour numerals and an outer minute track with prominent triangular five-minute markers.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with black numerical tens markers and an arched inscription reading '23 JEWEL 60 HOUR' above.
  • Blued spade hour hand, matching blued minute hand, and a blued subsidiary seconds hand.
  • Two-tone metal casing displaying a yellow-toned crown and bow against a white-toned bezel with engraved border patterning.

Research qualifications

  • Movement details, ray damascening, jewel settings, and internal case markings are based solely on source reporting and are not visible in the provided exterior photograph.
  • Condition ratings of 99% to 100% mint condition reflect subjective dealer assertions.

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

Consulted source

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

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1c34835bad

Terms in this record

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

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