Just how uncommon is this 18size 19J Bunn?


I have an 18-size, 19-Jewel Bunn Serial Number 2443299 that doesn't seem to line up with the published information. There are 4 images below and they tell the story on authenticity. If you have the Meggers-Ehrhardt Illinois Book, check the pictures 8 and 9 at the bottom of page 92 and the text on page 84, particularly the right hand column.

Below, first image is the complete movement...

According to Russ Snyder's Illinois database there were 850 of this grade in 4 runs. Some had gold-filled engraving and some had red-filled engraving. The "19 Jewels" marking seems to have appeared in at least three different fashions, but I do not know the number or distribution of each.

Jerry,

I think you'll find the variation we are showing above is completely out of place with any published information anywhere. Look very carefully at the Barrell-Bridge and compare it, that's why I showed both both sides.

You and others may find this watch very interesting.

Lindell

Lindell,
The Case of The Missing "Illinois Watch Co." marking .
I can think of a couple of possibilities, all of which are pure speculation:
1. The company ran out of new barrel bridges and grabbed an older "replacement" parts bridge to complete an order. The last of the non Illinois Watch Co. marked movemenmts (1909) were made only three years prior to your watch (1912).
2. The original bridge was destroyed and this was the only part quickly available when the movement was sent back to the factory for repair.
3. They mismarked the barrel bridge deliberately to give screaming fits to watch collectors and researchers 90 years later!

We have three examples from this run in our database, but no photos or details of the markings. We will have to see another from the run close to the S/N of yours to see if it has the same markings on the barrel bridge.
In any event, regardless of rarety, its a real beauty.

Ed Ueberall
NAWCC 49688
IHC Member 34
The Escapement

what i wondered about was a possible typo in the text on page 84....

note the overlap of the two last listings...

"old english" springfield Ill. 2029201-2164900

'block style' illinois watch co. 2044101-2663200


I own 2662844 and it is the block style illinois watch co marking.

also note on page 92 figure 9. note the location of '19 jewels'......

Saw one on eBay today, serial #2443390 ... same run and same markings as Lindell's watch. I would be interested to see if any others from this run have been observed. Either all 200 in the run were marked this way or it is a split run.

Fred

Thanks Fred,

We all like to have an unusual variation and seeing another means they evidently did build a few this way for whatever reason. Perhaps Ed hit it right...

(3) "They mismarked the barrel bridge deliberately to give screaming fits to watch collectors and researchers 90 years later!"

If they could only have known how one day grown men and women, otherwise reasonable, would obsess over their handiwork! Bottom line, there is so very much we may never know.

Sure it's frustrating and confusing, but it's also a lot of fun!

Lindell