Internet Horology Club 185
21J Bunn Special Fishscale With Fancy Case

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/6193926557

November 18, 2010, 01:06
Carlos Cons
21J Bunn Special Fishscale With Fancy Case
Here's some pictures of my new carry watch. What can you tell me about the case? Sure is fancy and I'm not sure it was available for this movement.


November 18, 2010, 01:07
Carlos Cons
Back with sharp detail.


November 18, 2010, 01:09
Carlos Cons
Inside case.


November 18, 2010, 01:10
Carlos Cons
21J Bunn Special with Fishscale demaskeen.


November 18, 2010, 11:54
Claude Griffith
I think the short/no pendant cases started showing up within a few years +/- 1920 so if you movement is in the range of 1918 or later then it might well be the original case.

1926 Waltham sales cat http://elginwatches.org/scans/...am/m_page_18_19.html

1925 Elgin sales cat
http://elginwatches.org/scans/...cy/m_page_06_07.html

In 1916-1917 you still see the medium pendant cases, so I doubt there was an exact year since you had more than a few case companies so if something ended up being popular I am sure the other case companies would follow suit.
November 18, 2010, 20:02
Edward L. Parsons, Jr.
That's a great-looking case, but I think you're right Carlos, it's somewhat newer than the movement.

The blue Illinois book says your watch (serial #2576621) is from 1913 production. Low pendant cases like this one didn't come along till the 1920's, as Claude pointed out.

IMHO a high pendant case would be more appropriate for this movement if you're concerned about authenticity.


Best Regards,

Ed
November 18, 2010, 21:04
Claude Griffith
I didn't have access to my Illinois serial number dating but I also think a mid to high pendant wold be more correct since the year range is a bit of a stretch. In my Roy E book 2 price guide the short pendants started showing up in ads around 1924-25. Hamilton and Illinois were still showing the mid-high pendant types in the 1918-19 range. Some of these case that have such detail make you appreciate the skilled workers in those days.
November 18, 2010, 21:16
Theodore J. Brown Sr.
Nice one Carlos!That movement probably has outlived the original case, like many other railroad watches.Sure is a beauty, goes good with the Montgomery dial.Thats a keeper for sure...Ted.
November 18, 2010, 22:37
Steve Middlesworth
Carlos,

One of my favorite Bunn Special finishes....just love that fish scale. Tell me, I can't quite make out from the photo, does that have the "screws up" balance jewel?

Steve
November 18, 2010, 22:46
Jerry King
Steve, we'll have to wait till Carlos tells us for sure, but it looks to me like the screws are in top/down not bottom/up....looks like I can just make out the slotted heads....could be wrong though....

Ohhh Carlos.... Roll Eyes

Regards,

Jerry
November 19, 2010, 01:17
Carlos Cons
Thank you all for the information. If it did outlive it's original case it did it's job! The movement is in fantastic shape. Steve, it has the "screws down" balance jewel.


November 19, 2010, 07:55
Eugene Buffard
Ok you have me interested what is the screws up- down about. I Stepping on limb one of the two is harder to find.
November 19, 2010, 13:48
Jerry King
Eugene, the best way to explan it is to show you....Steve did a fantastic job explaning the differences of the Bunn so take a look at the third example....Specifically the screws holding the balance cock....

The Bunn Story - Part One

Regards,

Jerry
November 23, 2010, 23:08
Carlos Cons
A really nice one just came up on Ebay. I've listed the link in the "Avoiding the PITFALLS of On-Line Trading!"