THIS IS THE MAY, 2002 interstatetime.com "WATCH OF THE MONTH"
THIS PAGE COULD FEATURE YOUR WATCH!!!
Every month we will pick a watch, submitted by one of our viewers, to be "Watch of the Month". "Watch of the Month" submissions should be a vintage or antique American pocket watch. They don't have to be rare or expensive, just interesting (this should give you lots of options). If you have a watch you would like to submit CLICK HERE to go to the "submission rules" page. THESE WATCHES ARE NOT FOR SALE!
GO BACK TO OUR HOME PAGE OR TO THE WATCH OF THE MONTH ARCHIVES
ILLINOIS WATCH COMPANY, SPRINGFIELD, IL
18 Size, 15 Jewel, Bunn Grade, Model 1, Circa 1885
I think Bunns are interesting for a lot of reasons, but I made this particular Bunn, Watch of the Month for sentimental reasons. According to the serial number list, published in "Illinois Watch Co. Encyclopedia and Price Guide" by Bill Meggers and Roy Ehrhardt, this watch has the last serial number for a key wind/key set (model 1) Bunn. A few later serial numbers exist for these gilt Bunns, and they may all have a left over winding arbor on the barrel bridge, but they are stem wind and lever set model 2s.
Collectors know the later models as "Transitional" because they could be both key wound and stem wound. The easiest way to tell the difference between the models 1 and 2, is the absence, on the model 2 of a squared end on the cannon pinion (the post in the center of the hour hand) for setting with a key, and the presence on the model 2 of a lever for setting. Also the model 1 has only one case screw.
This beautiful watch is housed in, what appears to be, its crisp original 18k case. It has a double sunk Roman numeral dial with the traditional "Illinois Watch Co." in Old English script. The high grade 15 jewel movement features a Chalmers Patent regulator.
I hope you enjoy this last of the KW/KS Bunns, but don't get too sentimental or choked up. The Bunn name continued to appear on Illinois watches until 1948 with the experimental 161-B. We can thank interstatetime.com friend Jerry Barko for this submission.
If you have an interesting American pocket watch you would like to submit as Interstatetime Watch of the Month......
