Which is more sought after-Illinois Bunn Special 60 hrs. before or after the Hamilton takeover?

Internet Horology Club 185

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May 23, 2003, 21:11

Stephanie O'Neil

Which is more sought after-Illinois Bunn Special 60 hrs. before or after the Hamilton takeover?

I started a thread sometime back with regard to my Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hr. From those responses, it appears it was determined that my Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hr.is one of the last Illinois manufactured before the Hamilton takeover.

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Which is more sought after, the Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hr before or after the Hamilton takeover?

And why?

I got the feeling from reading those threads, that my Illinois Bunn Special 60 Hr. is more desirable since it was the last Illinois produced before Hamilton took over. I could be wrong.

Stephanie O'Neil
NAWCC Member 143979

May 23, 2003, 22:19

Terry Hill

Ok... Lets compare some apples first...

Bunn Special 16s Sixty hour.....

Three types

Type I, marked "motor barrel 60"

Type II, marked "sixty hour and motor barrel 60

Type III, marked "sixty hour"

Of these, only the "type III" shares production dates before and after the Hamilton purchase of Illinois.....

Of these, the least common of the 'types' are the I and II... based on existing production numbers.

Some collectors rely on production #'s for "desirability factor"

Now for the oranges......

The "numbered" 16s bunn specials [161,161e,161a,163,163e,163a,163b are of a 'typical' higher grade than the 'other' sixty hour bunn specials.

Now IMHO....

Of the apples, give me a type I or II anyday over the type III, I don't really consider PreH or postH as a factor

Of the oranges... any of em!

now apples vs oranges..... heck, I can't 'afford' some of the oranges!!

does this make sense?

May 23, 2003, 23:07

Stephanie O'Neil

Hey Terry H,

Yes it makes sense. The oranges win huh?

I got a kick out of your explanation.

Well, if its any consolation, I cannot afford the oranges either!

I should be happy with my apple!

Guess what? My brother-in-law will be in town tomorrow. I'm going to ask him to take digital pictures of my Bunn Special we've been threading about, and also my Hamilton 992Special. I think we will be able to put a lot of questions I've had to rest once I can get these pictures posted.

I'm hoping he will be able to take decent shots of these pocketwatches.

Any suggestions?

Stephanie O'Neil
NAWCC Member 143979

May 23, 2003, 23:19

Lindell V. Riddle

Hey Stephanie,

I do have only a couple of those oranges. I'll be happy to share them with anyone who might find them interesting.

Wanna see?

Lindell

May 24, 2003, 02:30

Stephanie O'Neil

Hey Lindell,

Yes, I definitely want to see your oranges!

Please share.

Stephanie O'Neil
NAWCC Member 143979

May 24, 2003, 02:52

Lindell V. Riddle

This is one of the "oranges" Terry mentioned above.

Serial Number 5456484 is a 163A Bunn Special Type II B with Elinvar on Train Bridge...

May 24, 2003, 03:09

Lindell V. Riddle

Here you see the difference between the green-gold Case 173, which houses the movement shown above, here on the left and yellow-gold very unusual Case Model 28 on the right. Look closely at the bow on the right, it is quite different. These are also two of the more desirable Illinois Bunn Special dials.

May 24, 2003, 03:55

Lindell V. Riddle

Now to one of the "apples" Terry described. This is the watch shown on the right.

Serial Number 4492519 is a 23-jewel Bunn Special Type I Motor Barrel 60...

May 24, 2003, 04:22

Lindell V. Riddle

Here's a box of Terry's "oranges" that sold for $70.00 in 1931.

Number 5448727 in Case 107 with both boxes, and it all matches up perfectly...