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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Illinois Watch Co. Bunn Special 18-size pocket watch

Partially verified

This 18-size American railroad pocket watch is reported by the seller to have been manufactured by the Illinois Watch Co. circa 1904. The open-face gold-plated case measures 55 mm wide by 18 mm deep, with a screw-off bezel and front swing-out case mechanism. According to dealer details, it houses a 24-ruby-jewel nickel full-plate movement numbered 1730693, equipped with a micrometer regulator, large gold settings, and fine damascening. The double-sunk white enamel dial displays Gothic script Arabic numerals, red outer five-minute markings, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the Illinois Watch Co. Bunn Special open face pocket watch
Front view of the Illinois Watch Co. Bunn Special open face pocket watch — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Illinois Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.191 (AB-154276)
Source-reported date
circa 1904
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
1730693

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 Display

The pocket watch displays a double-sunk white enamel dial fitted beneath mineral glass. The dial is signed 'Illinois Watch Co.' in cursive script and features bold black Gothic-style Arabic numerals paired with outer red Arabic minute markings at five-minute intervals. Time is indicated by blued steel hands, including a spade hour hand, with a recessed subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock.

The dealer characterizes the dial as featuring the 'correct Gothic script for a 24 Jewel Bunn Special' and reports a 'full set of blue steel hands'. Dealer claims of pristine condition are treated as seller commentary rather than independent verification, and internal mechanical features remain unseen from the single front-facing photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial signed 'Illinois Watch Co.' in cursive script across the center.”
  • “Bold black Gothic-style Arabic numerals accompanied by red outer Arabic minute numbers at five-minute intervals.”
  • “the white enamel dial is double sunk and is in the correct Gothic script for a 24 Jewel Bunn Special.”
  • “The dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “Illinois Watch Co”.”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”

Case Construction and Dealer-Reported Decoration

The watch is housed in an open-face yellow gold-plated case measuring 55 mm wide by 18 mm deep, fitted with a fluted winding crown and rounded bow at 12 o'clock. According to the seller, the case has a screw-off bezel and the watch swings out from the front.

The dealer reports that the exterior exhibits floral engraving, engine turning, and an engraved flower over a crest, conjecturing that 'the flower was added to cover up some initials,' with the remainder displaying a smooth plain finish. The seller also notes a mechanical fit irregularity, stating that 'the bezel has a slight 1mm gap when in the closed position – this can be improved on with a little more force when turning it.'

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face yellow gold-tone case with a large fluted crown and rounded bow at 12 o'clock.”
  • “the movement comes in a gold plated open face case, pocket watch case which has a screw off bezel and the watch swings out from the front.”
  • “The case has some floral engraving and engine turning plus an engraved flower on a crest, presumably the flower was added to cover up some initials.”
  • “The watch measures 55mm wide x 18mm deep”
  • “the bezel has a slight 1mm gap when in the closed position – this can be improved on with a little more force when turning it.”

Movement Specifications and Seller Details

Internal movement characteristics are not visible in the provided primary photograph and depend entirely on the dealer's cataloging. The movement is reported as an 18-size, stem-wound and lever-set nickel full-plate mechanism equipped with 24 ruby jewels, large gold jewel settings, a micrometer regulator, and damascening.

The seller records the movement as signed “Bunn Special, Springfield, Ill, 24 Ruby Jewels, Adjusted” and numbered 1730693. The listing assigns an approximate manufacturing date of circa 1904, though direct confirmation of these internal inscriptions and components would require uncasing the watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “the ultra high grade nickel full plate movement has a micrometer regulator, large gold jewel settings and is decorated with fine damascening.”
  • “The movement is signed “Bunn Special, Springfield, Ill, 24 Ruby Jewels, Adjusted” #  1730693”
  • “The watch is stem wound  / lever set”
  • “18 size 24 Jewel Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch c1904 in Antique Mens Watches”

Open research questions

  • What manufacturer hallmarks, trademarks, or serial markings are stamped on the interior of the swing-out case?
  • Can direct examination of movement #1730693 confirm the 24 ruby jewels, adjustment count, and plate configuration described by the seller?
  • Is the reported 1 mm gap upon bezel closure caused by worn threads, cross-threading, or bezel distortion?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Illinois Watch Co. Bunn Special 18-size pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerIllinois Watch Co.“This is an American Rail road pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Co”
Serial Number1730693“The movement is signed “Bunn Special, Springfield, Ill, 24 Ruby Jewels, Adjusted” #  1730693”
Movement DetailsNickel full plate, 24 ruby jewels, micrometer regulator, damascened“the ultra high grade nickel full plate movement has a micrometer regulator, large gold jewel settings and is decorated with fine damascening”
DialDouble sunk white enamel with Gothic script“the white enamel dial is double sunk and is in the correct Gothic script for a 24 Jewel Bunn Special”
Setting MechanismStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound  / lever set”
Dimensions55mm wide x 18mm deep“The watch measures 55mm wide x 18mm deep”
Crystal MaterialMineral glass“The watch has a mineral glass”
Bezel Fit1 mm gap when closed“the bezel has a slight 1mm gap when in the closed position – this can be improved on with a little more force when turning it.”
Case Exterior FinishingFloral engraving, engine turning, crest with engraved flower, and smooth plain areas“The case has some floral engraving and engine turning plus an engraved flower on a crest, presumably the flower was added to cover up some initials. There is a smooth plain finish on the rest of the case.”

Visible details

  • Open-face yellow gold-tone case with a large fluted crown and rounded bow at 12 o'clock.
  • White enamel dial signed 'Illinois Watch Co.' in cursive script across the center.
  • Bold black Gothic-style Arabic numerals accompanied by red outer Arabic minute numbers at five-minute intervals.
  • Blued steel hands including a spade hour hand and recessed subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement details, serial number, and rear case decoration are not visible in the supplied photograph and rely entirely on the dealer's description.

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

Consulted source

18 size 24 Jewel Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch c1904 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 01ab1b741f

Terms in this record

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

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