I have this 21 Jewel Bunn Special with what LOOKS to be Gold Lettering. I know that they Made a 23 Jewel Bunn Special with the gold lettering, but cannot find anything about a 21 Jewel Bunn Special with it.

This one does NOT have a hint of the black lettering even on the pallet bridge under the balance wheel. If is IS supposed to be the black lettering, I have never seen one that was completely washed out like this one and with the gold lettering also.

Any help from the experts would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Larry

Serial #4660030

Lawrence I believe the gold was an undercoat for the usual black letters.

OK, Thank you Deacon.

Just never have seen one that was so completely washed out like this one. Kind of had me wondering.

Regards,
Larry

Larry the reason I called it an undercoat was because some years back when I ran into the same situation a jeweler friend said they would wash out with enough cleanings.

Well at least we know it has been cleaned a lot!

And now another time also.

Thanks Deacon. Now to fill it back in and make it look like it should.

Regards,
Larry

As suggested all of the 21 Jewel Bunn Special's should have BLACK lettering on the movements. In the 23 Jewel Bunn Special's the early 1913-1914 era watches had gold lettering and some even up to 1917 had the gold lettering.

I have no recollection of "gold undercoating" in the lettering personally, and don't recognize it as a "base" coat for the color BLACK, but I am not a painter. But I do find it an interesting topic that perhaps needs more study.

regards,
bb

Buster the jeweler I knew has since gone to the jewelry store in the sky, where parts are perfect and always available. What I recall is that the gold colored undercoat was some attempt to to strengthen the bond on the final lettering black (or maybe red?) coat. I thought it was similar to a primer coat.I have never for example seen any other colors than black gold or red but I suppose if you wanted your 10 watches with green shamrocks on the movement they would have made them. It would be nice to know what the Illinois people have to say.

Roger that Deacon !!

Glad you are here with us we missed you ! Keep up the good work, we need you on IHC185.

regards,
bb

I was told that all the plates are actually nickel plated brass- so when the enamel washes out it looks " Gold" because you are seeing the brass under the nickel plate.
I have one that I would swear never had black enamel in the lettering.

TJ

Very interesting. Thank you all for your insight.

Terry that looks like it could very well be what it is. It is defiantly yellow, and like I said, I saw NOTHING in the Illinois book about anything like that except for the 23 Jewels, like Buster said earlier.

GOOD to hear from you Deacon. Keep up the progress!

Thank you everyone.

Regards,
Larry