Illinois Bunn Special 161a 21j 60 Hour Rare Original Hamilton Cased Pocket Watch

  
16 size 21 jewel open face lever-set Bunn Special Grade 161A 60 Hour Elinvar pocket watch. The notable feature of this example is its rare original Hamilton factory casing in a 2-tone gold-filled and stainless steel No.

13" bar-over-crown case with "Hamilton Railroad marked crown. Original examples of the 161A with this case were finished in 1948 and represent pieces from the final output of 161A movements. This final 161A output is noted in Hamilton records as 809 examples that were finished in 1948 and fitted with 992B style balance wheels and white colored "Elinvar Extra" hairsprings.

Some, if not all, of these 809 examples were then paired with the distinctive sunk-seconds enamel dial as seen on this example, and were housed in Hamilton No. 13 cases or Hamilton Model 12 cases to be distributed to Hamilton retailers. Correct original examples of these watches can by identified by their appropriate Hamilton cases that show only the case screw marks at Illinois 161A case screw positions, by their 992B style balances and hairsprings, by the presence of this distinctive dial, and by their movement and case serial numbers falling in line with other known examples. Good intact examples of these watches are very tough to find due both to their relatively low original production and to their accelerated attrition in more recent decades caused by examples that fell into the hands of collectors and dealers that didn't understand their originality and split them apart to recase into Bunn Special signed cases. Movement serial number of this example is 5592765.

Running but balance motion is somewhat sluggish and I think likely movement has not seen a cleaning and oiling in many years. Nice looking movement overall with excellent color and luster.

Inner edge of barrel bridge has some abrasion adjacent regulator adjustment screw position. Winding wheels and regulator assembly have mild oxide. Dial is virtually flawless with only a few infinitesimal pinpoint edge nicks under the case bezel. Case is very nice overall with a strong in hand look and feel but with some typical mild dings and scratches, and perimeter lip of case rear has some small waviness to its contour suggesting possibly a past opening attempt with a tool. Please check out my other items this week for more great watches and watch related items for sale. - Check out the NAWCC! The NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) is a group that has a 65 year history, a terrific online message board for collectors, and the NAWCC puts on many watch and clock shows across the United States every year. I've been an NAWCC member since 1991 and recommend it to every collector of watches or clocks. The item "ILLINOIS BUNN SPECIAL 161A 21J 60 HOUR RARE ORIGINAL HAMILTON CASED POCKET WATCH" is in sale since Tuesday, July 13, 2021. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Pocket Watches".

The seller is "fhwatch" and is located in Dunbarton, New Hampshire. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Jamaica, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.

• Number of Jewels: 21 Jewels
• Department: Men
• Style: Railroad Grade
• Pocket Watch Size: 16
• Type: Pocket Watch
• Brand: Illinois