Illinois Watch pocket watch, 21 jewels, grade Movement
Record status
Individual type · research required
Maker / issuer
Illinois WatchThe Illinois Watch Company 21-jewel pocket watch is a mechanical timepiece produced by the Illinois Watch Company of Springfield, Illinois. Fitted with a 21-jewel movement, examples of this pocket watch type feature gold-filled construction, including housings such as the B&B Royal 20-Year case.
These watches are linked to prominent Illinois product lines such as the Bunn Special railroad watch and movements bearing the A. Lincoln grade designation. Developed during the company's pocket watch manufacturing era, they reflect the firm's contribution to precision timekeeping and railroad time enforcement standards.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Founded in December 1870 in Springfield, Illinois, the company reorganized in 1878 under industrialist Jacob Bunn Sr. The Bunn family shared close ties with Abraham Lincoln, having financed and managed his political career, an association reflected in the firm's movement names. Under Jacob Bunn Sr. and later Jacob Bunn Jr., the company expanded its manufacture of watch movements, producing the famous Bunn Special and pioneering technology to enforce standard time for railroads.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Gold filled, Gold (as described on the source photograph page)
Technical characteristics
- Jewel count
- 21 jewels (as described by the source)
Identification
- Grade
- Movement
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Examine the movement for markings indicating a 21-jewel count and grade designations such as 'A. Lincoln'. Inspect the case for gold-filled specifications, such as a 'B&B Royal 20-Year' stamp. Verify manufacturer signatures identifying the Illinois Watch Company of Springfield, Illinois, or the Bunn Special name on the watch.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Production date not documented by the source photograph; requires a manufacturer record or serial-number reference.
- Escapement type not documented; requires movement examination or a horological reference.
- Serial-number dating, case dimensions and weight remain untranscribed.
- No catalogue reference number is asserted; standard horological catalogues have not been transcribed for this specimen.