I just bought this watch on ebay, sorry for the bad photos, they are from the listing, and it is probably one of the best ones from the 10 or so that were posted (I get so perturbed at bad photos). Any way, any of you Illinois followers may notice that it is the rare "fat 6, flattop 3, arrows in" Montgomery dials that were produced in very small numbers. What is even more unusual is this one appears to be of the single sunk variety as opposed to the more common double sunk version. I have seen this dial on one watch since I have been keeping an eye out for quite some time. I will just have to wait until it gets here to know for sure as the pictures are so poor. I tried to explain to the owner about how to tell if it was a double sunk or single sunk and he had no clue....kept referring to the crystal. He offered me a money back deal if I was not happy so I bought it to find out. I'll keep you posted.

Steve

You know Steve, I looked at that same watch & missed that dial. I look forward to hearing what you got.

Tom

Steve, I look forward to a close up of the dial. I also saw this listing but, lost interest because the "6" looked too dark. I was thinking a sharpie cover up! Had no idea that this could be the "rarer than rare fat 6, flattop 3, arrows in"

Hey Tom, was it in the book?

Carlos

The book doesn't show a lot of dials, after you asked I thumbed through it again & didn't see it but most of the dials shown are from old ads.

Tom

Wow Steve,

Won't that be great! I can't wait to see it!

Congrats Steve, looks like you snagged a rarity.

I'd like to see a good picture of it too.

Is the fat 6 thing for real? Did the factory actually change fonts for a single digit?

Eric

They are for real but I never have heard why they made them, they are sometimes called fat boys (and I don't know why).

Tom

Tom,

Here is the one referred to as the "Fat Boy". The digits are huge as are the 5 minute arrows. This is on a 19 jewel Bunn 60 Hour.

Steve

Here is a double sunk version of the the one I am hoping is a single sunk.

Eric,

I believe the strategy behind the placement of the 6 in the center of the seconds hand was to escape having to pay the 25 cent royalty to Mr. Montgomery. He had the patent for placing the 6 under the seconds hand. That is what I have been told anyway.

Steve

Steve

Thanks for the education, I had heard of the fat boy but wasn't sure what it was.

Tom

Well the jury is in. I picked it up this morning and it was definately a single sunk dial. Very rare I believe as this is only the second one I have come across. The first one got away. It has a very common stem set stem wind 17 jewel movement with it that dates to 1929. I am very pleased with its condition and it looks good sitting next to the double sunk version.

Steve

Congrats Steve! Glad it found a good home where it can be properly appreciated.

John III

Steve

Does this appear to be the same dial. I am not as up on this dials as you are.

This one was on a Bunn Special from 1921, does that sound too early to have had this type of dial?

Thanks

Tom

Tom,

Yes that is one of the rarer single sunk style of the above mentioned dials. I am going to guess that it was not on that movement originally because that watch would have normally come with a double sunk dial. Also the second hand is a little short which also may be a clue to fitting a double sunk dial. 1921 may have been a bit early as well. I think I saw that one up on ebay last week or two ago. Did you buy it?

Steve

Yeah, I bought it, probably shouldn't have but I like the dial. It was also in a model 1 type case. I don't have it yet but thought I would get your thoughts on the dial.

Thanks
Tom

Tom,

The dial is probably worth more than what you paid for the whole watch. I thought about going after it but things are a little tight right now. It would look great on a mid 20's 19 jewel Bunn. Hopefully the marks on the side will clean up, other than that it looks like a nice dial.

Steve

Thanks, I don't have any 19 jewel Bunns, I have several 21 jewel both earlier & later. I will have to see when it comes what I do with it. I will post some better photos when it arrives.

Tom

The watch arrived today & the dial cleaned up very well, I can't see any flaws myself but I do miss things.

The back of the dial.

Tom,

Very nice and believe me, those are very hard to come by.

Steve

I was thinking of putting it on a Bunn Special 60 hour for 1927, it had a Montgomery dial on it but someone damaged it at one of the posts.

Steve you haven't found any documentation as to what watches these were put on have you? I would assume since this is only the 3rd one you have seen perhaps they are to rare to venture a guess?

Tom

Nice finds guys. I'll have to keep my eyes open for that fat six.