Here is my latest addition. It is a Bunn Special 21 jewel, 16 size, with the rare Fish Scale demaskeen pattern. Only the Bright spot pattern was produced in smaller quantities. Then you get into the Fourth ray patern and the number jumps to 160,000 just in the 21 jewel variety. Only 2,490 of these were allocated serial numbers making this a some what rare breed. It is not in it's correct case as the the original is in need of a new crystal. I have been looking for one of these for quite some time and they just don't come around very often. This was produced in 1913 by the way.

and from the front..... it could use some nicer hands.

Very nice Steve. I have heard of that pattern, but never actually saw one.

It makes me wonder why this model and the bright spot model of 21 jewel Bunn Specials do not carry a separate listing in the price guide. They are both in the one or two star range of rarity but yet are considered to be part of the 160,000 or so produced. I suppose the book would end up being about 3 times thicker if it were to include all the variants of watches made.

Steve

Steve, In the case of Illinois, I think every run was a "1 star" collectible or better anyway. They were real masters of the "art" as well as the technology of watchmaking.

As for Cooksey's Guide, I have jokingly commented in the past that the Prices listed are "guided" by certain inventories available in Florida, in truth, the scope and magnitude of the undertaking is awesome for the audience size and contains many reminders that if we cannot find a piece listed there, refer to something of like description.

Steve,
I just love the damaskeening, and always wanted the Fish Scale Pattern too.

Yours is a Beauty!

I have one that I don't think is an "official" Fish Scale Pattern, but sure comes close, and I really like it a lot.

Check it out.


My Hampden

Sheila,

Your Hampden seems to be another W. T. Johnson. I can't quite make out your serial # but it is within a very few of the watch in the scan of the Hampden Watch Co. book. (bottom right picture). Your watch looks just like mine also. See this recent thread.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/7831018123

I'd like to see more pics of this watch.

Sheila,

That is a beautiful movement as well. It has a hypnotic effect when you move it within a bright light source and the scales flash as it is moved. I love mine and plan on holding on to it for quite awhile. And thanks all for the nice compliments.

And Dave, I often wonder when some inexperienced collector finds his or hers Grandfathers watch in a box and looks it up in the Price Guide to find that Bright Spot 21 Jewel Bunn Special (as an example) is worth about $300 or so. I don't know about other watches and their variants but Illinois is notorious for it. Sometimes general grouping can be very misleading to the actual value of a watch. I was outbid on a Bright Spot Bunn Special the went for over $1000.00 after it was all said and done.

Steve

Steve,
First let me say that your Bunn is one Beautiful Watch, and I only wish I had many like it. Thank you for sharing it with us, and Congratulations on a great find!!
I do indeed like the Hampden's too, but I think this is the only one I own!!
and your right about the damaskeening, it does catch your eye and keeps you there, just enjoying the gorgeous art work!

Charles,
Thank you so much for the great link, I had missed that one, and BOY! what great information.

The serial number of my watch is 3129866 a full 355,155 away from those listed! So it looks like the list goes on and on!

This is my dial, and I think it's original.
The pictures are from the sale, or auction I purchased it from, so I will try to lighten up the movement some, and if it works, I'll post it for a better view.

I gotta say, these are some really beautiful watches, and being an Elgin fanatic, that's saying a lot.

Of course, I love all Pocket Watches, but then, there are some that just Stand Out.

Closer Look
Sure looks like one of the ones on page 107 to me!

Still doesn't do it justice.

Sheila,

That's a real beauty, but look again at page 107. Your watch is only 15 #'s away from the pictured watch in the lower right corner. Model 240. It's funny that my original post on that topic was to see if someone had one of these or some photos. It's ironic that it took Steve's Bright Spot Bunn to bring yours out.

Steve, that is a very beautiful and desirable example, the quest for these scarce beauties are what makes what make this hobby so compelling. We all benefit when one of our members shares a rare or unusual find with with the rest of us. Thank you for sharing this one.

Charles,

When you have information you have knowledge and it is from this great site you attain the information. If not for this site I wonder about what my collection would really consist of. It would probably be a mish-mash of overpaid incorrect common watches as it was in the beginning. I have a much more careful eye now and much of it is because of this wonderful site and its knowledgeable membership. Hopefully the new collectors coming to IHC185 bennefit as I have. $12.00, have you any idea how many times those membership dues have paid for themselves? It has been a great investment to this collector.

Steve