I thought I'd post this here for a day or two before posting on my website, maybe a savvy Illinois collector will see it and realize what it is and how hard it is to acquire. I love it to go to a home that appreciates it for what it is.











This is the 18S 19J Bunn, made specifically for Railroad Service, and one of the few 18S Illinois railroads not marked "ruby jewels" altho they were. Also, no hunter case versions of this watch were made.

This is the type marked "jeweled barrel" and adj to 5 pos temp and iso, and double roller, the later one was adj 6 pos.

On bottom plate marked Bunn, 19 Jewels and Springfield, IL, and finished in Gold lettering that compliments that gorgeous sun ray damaskeening.

ONLY 400 OF THIS TYPE WERE MADE WITH THE GOLD LETTERING

This one is even more special IN THAT IT IS SERIAL #2443323 and the Blue Book says that these were the higher production later versions that WERE marked Illinois Watch Co.

This one, however, is not. It is the earlier low production example. Serial run is of Bunn grade.

(Just proves that any book, even Meggars Bible, isn't always right 100% of the time.)

It is housed in a screw front and back case, thick glass crystals with couple lite chips.

Dial is NOT the Gothic example however it is a hairline free double sunk red 5 min marker that looks very nice.

Movement is extra nice, remember most if not all of these saw heavy railroad use, that's what they were designed for! As 18S Bunns go, this one is far above average.

You don't have to spend a fortune to collect important landmark low production Illinois watches. This model is one of the first I ever started collecting, I would highly recommend it.

Also, new balance staff was installed, and is timing good. Ready to show and enjoy.

Price is only $400. Lot of watch and rarity for the money. If anyone's interested, let me know.

Tom, just sent you an email on this.

Greg

Lindell;

Wow! Yours IS close...as you know then, these are tough to get. I just thought a 185 member deserved first shot, it may be sold already, will post when it is.

Tom,

Very nice and quite collectable. I have been looking out for the 19 jewel to add to my collection. I just bought a 17 jewel Bunn "Hunter" also quite rare with a 1 star rating. Looking forward to receiving it.

Tom and Lindell-

I have #2443253 with I'm sure has identical marking (I don't have it in front of me, but I know it has the gold lettering and jeweled barrel marked on it), so the world is getting even smaller!

Someone needs to nab this one! To me, this run is a more beautiful run than my 18s 23j bunn special!

Jared

Still fs as of 11:15 PM tonight. I'll check in the AM earliest email or post confirming they want it gets it! You are right, Jared...these are damaskeened better than the 23J Bunn Special. All the 18S 19J Bunns are very special, low production and often overlooked timepieces.

These are interesting. I re-staffed and restored my $167.00 s/n 2044182 in 2008 for my "core" collection, not knowing there were only 1600 that Illinois co-mingled with 250 more all the same but the added marking "Jeweled Barrel" like yours. . . . only difference is these are all black filled engraving and Gothic dials . . .

While they are all Jeweled Barrels, yours is a steal at $400.00

The Price guide lumps these all together, I guess we need to suggest some clarification. Maybe a "P.G. Appendix and clarifier can be published"?

David;

Yours was the 1350 production of black lettered of this type. The gold lettered type like yours had only 300 production. (Meggars Blue Illinois Book)

One could make a good collection out of just the various types of these 18S 19J Bunns alone

The lowest production type was of the last type marked "Illinois Watch Co." and 6 Positions...Only 200 produced in black. Interestingly enough, Illinois produced 1200 of this last type in gold letter! (Obviously, gold proved to be more popular and possibly a better seller?)

This is why I'll always prefer collecting Illinois over any other...great historical timepieces and lots of different types and production levels of the same grade...great fun!

Still available, Tom? I'll go the $400

Damien;

Greg took it late last night...sorry.

Here would be a pic of serial number 2443253.

Jared