Some info Please on an Illinois Bunn

July 02, 2008, 11:54

Charles J. Brem

Could someone more familiar than I with these give me some info on this watch? Serial # 1927003. Movement type? Is it correct and with the proper case? Is it worth near $400.00 ? Sorry, these are the only pictures available from seller.

July 02, 2008, 11:55

Charles J. Brem

Dial

July 02, 2008, 11:56

Charles J. Brem

Logo

July 02, 2008, 11:57

Charles J. Brem

Back

July 02, 2008, 11:57

Charles J. Brem

Movement

July 02, 2008, 11:59

Charles J. Brem

Movement 2

July 02, 2008, 12:00

Charles J. Brem

Closer

July 02, 2008, 12:01

Charles J. Brem

Case markings. Thank you all for your help.

July 02, 2008, 12:31

David Abbe

The 6 Position (as opposed to the more common 5 poisition) adjusted 21 Jewel Bunn Special can easily be in the $400.00 value range. As for the case, the 1907 vintage of the movement speaks well for the case style. Lindell has a "secret case number list" and he can help more on that authentication issue. As for me, at $375- $400, I would "fall for it" myself if I still needed one.

July 02, 2008, 13:18

Lindell V. Riddle

Hello Charles,

The movement number 1927003 is listed as the third in a run consisting of 1,000 of the 18-size Lever-Set, Open-Face, 21-Jewel, Model 6, Bunn Special grade watches from 1906 production. The hands and dial look to be of appropriate design for the time-frame in which the movement was produced. I would ask for very specific confirmation that the dial is indeed an original three-piece Double-Sunk dial and not a one-piece reproduction as they were available a few years ago.

Now to the case, that is one of the cases made in the 1960s and 1970s commonly known as a "re-strike" that looks nice on these watches but is quite unlike what originally came on them. Low pendant cases struck in rolled-gold-plate came out in the late 1920s and this one, which was among the last watch cases manufactured is considerably later than that. When this watch was produced the cases were of a much higher pendant design and they would be of a different content.

As to overall value of this one, being marked as Adjusted to 6-Positions helps as the watch guide assigns a premium for that particular marking. The latest 2008 Complete Guide to Watches shows values of 300 / 450 / 600 for this watch when correct. My major concern is about dial originality, if the dial is genuine that is important as finding a correct dial in top condition would be nearly impossible. (No secret case number list, just a "way-back" machine to go back in time and check them out. )

Lindell

Images like this can prove authenticity on dial questions...

July 02, 2008, 17:55

Charles J. Brem

Thanks David and Lindell. I contacted the seller in regards to the dial, and just as Lindell had suspected, he replied that he was pretty sure that the dial was NOT original to the watch. I had also asked for some more detailed photos of the dial but they were not forthcoming. That added to the case issue and I think I'll stay away.

It was really great of you guys to answer my questions so promptly, I just cannot thank you enough.