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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Illinois Bunn Special railroad pocket watch is dated by the seller to circa 1929 and is housed in a 55mm 14K white gold-filled Keystone Model 28 case numbered 7131483. The source reports it is powered by a 21-jewel, 60-hour motor-barrel movement adjusted to temperature and six positions, numbered 5252884. The white porcelain dial features bold black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track with triangular hour markers, blued steel spade and whip hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock marked '21 JEWEL 60 HOUR'.

Dial and front view of the Illinois Bunn Special railroad pocket watch in a 55mm Keystone Model 28 case
Dial and front view of the Illinois Bunn Special railroad pocket watch in a 55mm Keystone Model 28 case — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Company
Reference
Keystone Model 28
Catalogue / lot identifier
RALF 61 P
Source-reported date
Circa 1929
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
5252884

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 and Exterior Observations

The timepiece is housed in an engraved 55mm Keystone Model 28 case. The seller describes the material as 14K white gold-filled.

The case features carved motifs on the bezel and shoulders, with a fluted crown integrated into the bow. The case serial number is reported by the source as 7131483, though this is not visible in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “This fine 55mm example was produced in a 14K white gold-filled and engraved Keystone case.”
  • “Keystone Model 28 Case #7131483”

Dial and Hands

The dial is a 3-piece white porcelain display featuring black Arabic numerals and an outer minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position.

The dial bears the text 'ILLINOIS BUNN SPECIAL' and '21 JEWEL 60 HOUR'. The hands are comprised of blued steel, described as spade hour hands and whip-style minute hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “The time is displayed on a 3-piece white porcelain dial with bold black Arabic numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 position, and blued steel spade and whip hands.”
  • “Dial inscribed 'ILLINOIS BUNN SPECIAL' beneath the 12 o'clock position and '21 JEWEL 60 HOUR' above the subsidiary seconds dial”

Mechanical Specifications

The watch is described as using a 21-jewel, 60-hour motor-barrel movement, identified by the serial number 5252884. The movement is stated to be adjusted to temperature and 6 positions.

As the movement is not visible in the provided imagery, these technical details and the movement serial number rely on seller documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Keeping time within is the innovative 21-jewel, 60-hour motor-barrel movement, adjusted to temperature and 6 positions.”
  • “Movement #5252884”

Open research questions

  • Does movement serial number 5252884 align with Illinois Watch Company production records for a 1929 manufacture date?
  • Can the Keystone Model 28 case serial 7131483 be verified as the original factory-paired case for movement 5252884?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number5252884“Movement #5252884”
Case SpecificationKeystone Model 28 Case #7131483“Keystone Model 28 Case #7131483”
Movement Attributes21-jewel, 60-hour motor-barrel movement, adjusted to temperature and 6 positions“21-jewel, 60-hour motor-barrel movement, adjusted to temperature and 6 positions”
Case Material14K white gold-filled“14K white gold-filled and engraved Keystone case”
Diameter55mm“This fine 55mm example was produced in a 14K white gold-filled and engraved Keystone case.”
Approximate DateCirca 1929“Circa 1929”
MaintenanceFull restoration“this pocket watch bears a full restoration and an 18-month warranty”

Visible details

  • White porcelain dial with prominent black Arabic hour numerals and an outer minute track with triangular markers
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock numbered every ten seconds
  • Blued steel spade hour hand and whip minute hand
  • Dial inscribed 'ILLINOIS BUNN SPECIAL' beneath the 12 o'clock position and '21 JEWEL 60 HOUR' above the subsidiary seconds dial
  • Engraved white-toned metal case with decorative carved motifs on the bezel and bow shoulders
  • Fluted crown set inside an ornate bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the supplied photograph; mechanical details and movement serial rely on seller documentation
  • Case interior and serial number 7131483 are not directly visible

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

Consulted source

Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5d525c2e60

Terms in this record

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

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