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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch, 1923

Partially verified

This is an open-face railroad pocket watch produced by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois, dating by serial number and source listing to 1923. The size 16 movement (source-designated Model 15) contains 21 jewels and displays sunburst ray damaskeening across its three-quarter plate layout. Movement inscriptions read 'Bunn Special', 'Illinois Watch Co. Springfield', 'Adjusted Temp. and Six Positions', and serial number 4042170, with 'Double Roller' engraved on the balance bridge. The source reports the movement is housed in a 10K gold-filled screw-back case made by the Hamilton Watch Case Co. (Illinois Railroad Watch Case Model 181).

Movement view of the Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch showing sunburst damaskeening and serial 4042170
Movement view of the Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch showing sunburst damaskeening and serial 4042170 — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co.
Reference
Model 15
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1923
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
4042170

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

Movement Decoration and Inscriptions

Direct visual observation of the movement shows a three-quarter plate layout embellished with sunburst ray damaskeening. Factory inscriptions visible on the plate include 'Bunn Special', 'Illinois Watch Co. Springfield', 'Adjusted Temp. and Six Positions', '21 Jewels', and serial number '4042170'.

The balance cock carries the engraved designation 'Double Roller' alongside an integrated micro-metric regulator. The visible casing shows a gold-tone open-face frame featuring a fluted crown at 12 o'clock and a triangular bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-quarter plate movement layout decorated with radiant sunburst ray damaskeening”
  • “Visible movement engravings for 'Bunn Special', 'Illinois Watch Co. Springfield', 'Adjusted Temp. and Six Positions', '21 Jewels', and serial number '4042170'”
  • “Balance cock engraved with 'Double Roller' alongside a micro-metric regulator”
  • “Gold-tone open-face case with fluted crown at 12 o'clock and triangular bow”

Source-Reported Mechanism and Barrel Configuration

The listing identifies the movement as a 21-jewel, US size 16 (42.4 mm) Model 15 manufactured in Springfield, Illinois, USA, dating to 1923. It reports a lever escapement, gold jewel cups, and a gold centre wheel, operated via crown wind and lever setting located under the dial bezel.

The seller describes a 60-hour barrel configuration but specifies that 'the spring in a standard one' is fitted. Reported performance parameters include a run time of approximately 24 to 36 hours on a full wind and an accuracy variance of +/- 5 minutes in 24 hours, alongside a seller note that it was ultrasound cleaned within the previous 12 months.

Evidence for this section
  • “SIZE MOVEMENT: 42.4mm.   US size 16”
  • “MOVEMENT TYPE: Three quarter plate. Model 15.”
  • “This watch has a 60 hour barrel but the spring in a standard one.”
  • “Gold jewel cups and centre wheel.”
  • “SET: Lever set (under dial bezel)”
  • “RUN TIME: 24 - 36 hours approx. on one full wind.”
  • “MOVEMENT ACCURACY: +/- 5 minutes in 24 hours”
  • “Stripped and ultra sound cleaned within the last 12 months.”

Case, Dial, and Condition Limitations

The housing is cataloged as a 10K gold-filled case produced by the Hamilton Watch Case Co., designated as 'Illinois Railroad Watch Case Model 181', measuring 51.1 mm overall (excluding bow and crown) with a screw on/off front and back.

Because the dial side is not pictured in the reference photograph, details depend on vendor disclosures. The dial is reported as Arabic numerals with the Illinois trade mark, bearing a 'Feint hairline below 8.' The crystal is noted to be a replacement mineral glass with a bevel-edge low dome.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE: 10K Gold filled case by the Hamilton Watch case Co.. Screw on/off back and front. Illinois Railroad Watch Case Model 181”
  • “SIZE OVERALL: 51.1mm (excluding bow and crown)”
  • “DIAL: Arabic numerals. Good condition with Illinois trade mark. Feint hairline below 8.”
  • “CRYSTAL: Replacement Mineral glass bevel edge low dome crystal.”

Open research questions

  • What interior case stamps or serial numbers exist on the Hamilton Watch Case Co. Model 181 case to verify its historical match to movement 4042170?
  • Does direct visual inspection of the dial confirm the extent of the reported hairline fracture below the 8 o'clock position?
  • Can physical examination verify whether the mainspring barrel is a genuine 60-hour motor barrel fitted with a standard-length mainspring?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch, 1923
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Jewel Count21“JEWELS: 21”
Movement Size42.4mm / US size 16“SIZE MOVEMENT: 42.4mm.   US size 16”
Movement TypeThree quarter plate. Model 15“MOVEMENT TYPE: Three quarter plate. Model 15.”
Case Specification10K Gold filled case by the Hamilton Watch case Co., Model 181“CASE: 10K Gold filled case by the Hamilton Watch case Co.. Screw on/off back and front. Illinois Railroad Watch Case Model 181”
Place of ManufactureSpringfield, Illinois, USA“MANUFACTURED IN: Springfield, Illinois, USA”
Overall Case Diameter51.1 mm (excluding bow and crown)“SIZE OVERALL: 51.1mm (excluding bow and crown)”
Setting MechanismLever set (under dial bezel)“SET: Lever set (under dial bezel)”
Crystal SpecificationReplacement mineral glass bevel edge low dome crystal“CRYSTAL: Replacement Mineral glass bevel edge low dome crystal.”
Reported Accuracy+/- 5 minutes in 24 hours“MOVEMENT ACCURACY: +/- 5 minutes in 24 hours”

Visible details

  • Three-quarter plate movement layout decorated with radiant sunburst ray damaskeening
  • Visible movement engravings for 'Bunn Special', 'Illinois Watch Co. Springfield', 'Adjusted Temp. and Six Positions', '21 Jewels', and serial number '4042170'
  • Balance cock engraved with 'Double Roller' alongside a micro-metric regulator
  • Gold-tone open-face case with fluted crown at 12 o'clock and triangular bow

Research qualifications

  • Dial side and case exterior back are not visible in the provided image
  • Source notes the crystal is a replacement mineral glass and that the dial has a faint hairline below 8
  • Source mentions a 60-hour barrel fitted with a standard spring

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

Consulted source

ILLINOIS BUNN SPECIAL RAILROAD WATCH - 1923 » Watch Museum: Discover The World Of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 26f337da8d

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