$920
Illinois Watch Co. , Springfield, "Bunn Special", No. 4021513, circa 1922.Fine, gold-filled, keyless, Railroad Grade watch. three-body, "Wadsworth", polished, screwed bezel and back, reeded edges. white enamel, double sunk, bold Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Double Swell Spade " hands. 16 size, nickel, bridge caliber, damascened in radial pattern, 21 jewels in gold settings, adjusted to temperature and 6 positions, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws and blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometric regultor.Signed on the dial and movement. Case signed "Bunn Special". Diam. 51 mm. Notes Illinois Watch Co.The Illinois Watch Co. was established by John C. Adams, who was successful in soliciting help from four prominent Springfield, Illinois businessmen: John T. Stuart, former partner of Abraham Lincoln; John Williams, the president of a local bank; William B. Miller; and John W. Bunn. In 1870, capital totaling $100,000 was raised through the issuing of stock. The new company was named the Springfield Watch Co., and Adams, who had connections with the Elgin Watch Co., visited their operations and rturned with qualified key personnel.Production began the following year with 18 size full plate movements patented by D.C. Currier, which slightly improved on earlier Waltham and Elgin full-plate calibers. In particular, Currier claimed that the mainspring barrel could Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-11-28
