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Bunn Special 23-Jewel Fishscale Hunter! "Click" to Login or Register 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Here is one of the most difficult to find of Illinois watches.

The dial when found on a hunter magnifies rarity

And then you see it's a solid-gold case.

Check them over everyone... Big Grin


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Inside the front cover, solid-gold markings...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Through the crystal, dial and hands look right...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Full Montgomery dial seldom seen on a hunter...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Yes, it's the real deal, all three feet are in place...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

You can see all three hinges are still very firm...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

The engraving is still amazingly crisp on this one...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Close-up of case-back shows its remarkable condition...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

"Warranted 14K .585 Fine" are gold content markings...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Number 2577591 is 23-Jewel Bunn Special Fishscale...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

The absence of anything like nornal wear is impressive...


 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

... Cool ...

This is a "find another one" kind of thing.

Wink
 
IHC President
Life Member
Picture of Lindell V. Riddle
posted

Barrel jewels are not exposed on these particular movements.

You'll see this one is numbered 2577591 from 1913 production. The run is shown as 2577501-2577650 all 23-Jewel Model 8 Hunters in the Illinois book. It was recently determined there were only a hundred or so like this one produced.

Unfortunately the harsh angle of light on the movement image makes the "23" in "23-Jewels" look oddly like a "25" but it is not. Comparison with the movement number numerals helps clear that up.

Here is a cropped image to show that area better...


 
posted
Yes, it would appear the last 50 block of this 150 segment run has turned out to be all Rayed pattern 23j hunter and NOT fishscale, so I think it is very safe to say that there are no more than 100 of these 23J Hunter Fishscales ever made.

I will make mention , that this is a watch of a calibre that will only come up for sale about once a decade as I have seen several of which none were for sale, only for show and tell. It is imperative that the only way you get one is to get there first as if you pass it by, it then becomes a "woulda , coulda , shoulda" type situation you will speak of for the rest of your life provided condition was there. This watch was 2500 dollars , 20 years ago and 4K + , 10 years ago , IF you could find one for sale. It is anybody's guess what 2 astute Illinois collectors might fight it out to pay if it were to come up for auction today. It is for sure you would lose your breath, as I know what I would pay for it and I am not even a serious hunter collector.

Congrats of the highest esteem are in order for landing this one! Happy Hunting INDEED I would say!
 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
Lindell, I know this is and old posting but I have just gotten one of these 23j Bunn Special H.C. The Serial number is close to yours 2,577,527 and mine is in a gold-filled case.
Have the value gone up much on these?
 
IHC Member 1357
posted
Congratulations Billy,post pics. when you get a chance!
Roger
 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
This is close to the movement number shown above

[see Lindell's December 04, 2005 @ 22:13 post with image - Lindell's movement number is 2577591]

 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
#2

[Movement number 2577527]

 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
I have some better Photo's

 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
Dial Back with dial feet intact

 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
I have just service this watch runs great

 
Picture of Billy Kuhn
posted
another

 
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