I have this Illinois Central, even with the original box, or at least an appropriate one. When looking this up I could not find a Central 12s that was 21j. The book only mentions a 17j. Does anybody have any info on the 21j movement?

The box and dial and movement are marked "Central", but the jewel count doesn't match. There is a rough spot on the dial (darn) but otherwise everything seems to be in good shape.

Any information would be appreciated.

IN THE BOOK ON ILLINOIS WATCHES WROTE BY BILL MEGGERS &ROY EHRHARDT IT IS LISTED AS A GRADE 279 21 JEWEL..

THIS IS WHAT THE BOOK SAID ON THE GRADE 279..

THE GRADE 279 APPEARS MOST FREQUENTLY WITH THE PRIVATE LABELS OF THE SANTA FE. AND ILLINOIS CENTERAL...HOWEVER MOST INTERESTING TO COLLECTORS IS THE SINGLE RUN OF 50 MOVEMENTS STARTING AT SERIAL# 5073201 THAT IS MARKED BUNN SPECIAL...IT IS NOT KNOW WHY THIS SINGLE GROUP OF WATCHES WAS MADE BUT THE FACT THAT THEY WERE FINISHED DURING THE FRIST YEAR OF OPERATION UNDER HAMILTON WATCH CO. OWNERSHIP SUGGESTS THAT HAMILTON MAY HAVE BEEN GIVING CONSIDERATION TO EXPANDING THE BUNN SPECIAL TO INCLUDE A 12 SIZE VERSION...IF SO, THE THOUGHT WAS ABANDONED SINCE NO MORE WERE MADE....

THE 12 SIZE BUNN SPECIAL IS LISTED AS A 2 STAR WATCH LOOKS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A 3 OR 4 STAR WATCH..

NICE WATCH TOM..

Thanks Samie,
I don't have that book, and Schugart lists it as a 17j. Interesting information about the short run of Bunn 12s. This does have that damascening pattern that some Bunns have.

Thank you very much for the information!

Tom,

In addition to the production run of your watch, I have also seen the "Illinois Central" Private Label in two other runs of this 12-size, 21-jewel, Grade "279" Model "1" movement.

In addition to runs marked "Santa Fe Special" in this configuration, I've also seen ones marked "Illinois Winner", "Time King", and "Victor".

There were a total of 16,000 made between 1926 - 1929.

Russ

Dr. Debbie,

Although Bill Meggers and I never discussed the 12-size Bunn Specials in any great detail, I was assured they existed. Unfortunately, since there were only a maximum of 50 produced, I have not personally seen one.

My notes from conversations with Bill indicated that the "Bunn Special" versions produced in this one run of 50 Grade "279" watches indicates that these were NOT considered a separate Grade of Illinois watches -- just a run of 50 marked like with a quasi-"Bunn Special" Private Label by Hamilton.

I should also add that, immediately after this run of 50 watches, the company produced a run of 25 watche marked "Illinois Winner", and these in turn were followed by a run of 25 marked "Illinois Central". In fact, the watches from 5,072,001 - 5,261,300 consisted of several runs which ALL contained at least some watches marked as Private Labels, and represent many of those produced during Hamilton's first year of ownership.

Russ