Bunn Special Case ?

[Richard Morris]

What was the high ser# that Bunn Special's were not put in a Bunn Special case, or what was the ser# they started with the Bunn Special case. Thank You!!!

[Richard Morris]

What was the high ser# that Bunn Special's were not put in a Bunn Special case, or what was the ser# they started with the Bunn Special case. Thank You!!!

[Ball992B]

Richard,
I had a similar question a few months back...
http://www.nawcc.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002375.html

DW

[terry hall]

The factory advertisements show the Model 9 16s Bunn Special to be the first cased version. The advertisements first appeared in early 1925 publications.

They were discussed here..... http://www.nawcc.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001541.html

[Kent]

Richard:

The factory-cased Bunn Special was first advertised in the Spring of 1925, as seen in this Introductory Ad (http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/bscased.jpg). In the data base of railroad standard watches that Ed Ueberall and I maintain, the serial number 4,400,000 is about where the Bunn Special cases start appearing. However, movements continued to be supplied, for casing at the wholesale or retail level, at least into the late 1920's. This 1928 Loftis Bros. Mail Order Ad (http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/1928_jul_loftis_lr.jpg) doesn't say whether the Bunn Special is factory-cased, but that's usually an indiction that it isn't. Also, the $50 price is considerably below the $60 & $65 price that Illinois was advertising at that time for the factory-cased 21-jewel Bunn Special.

I suspect that by the depression, only factory-cased Bunn Specials were sold, say serial number 5,150,000. Our data base seems to indicate this, but its hard to tell. Those Bunn Specials not in factory cases may have been sold that way originally, or they may have been placed in non-Illinois Watch Co. cases when the original cases wore out. The sale of Illinois to Hamilton in 1928 may be a factor in the point at which all the watches left the factory in cases.

Kent :smile:

[This message has been edited by Kent (edited 07-28-2002).]

[terry hall]

Thanks Kent for the posting of the ads...

Here is some additional information from Megger's Illinois book, page 49. This section of the book discusses the factory cases and breaks them down year by year.

He states under 1929.....[he does not list the year 1928]... also note the (Vxxx) reference is to photos in the book.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
1929-
Three new cases for the "Bunn Special" grade were introduced. The 23 jewel "Bunn Special" was offered cased for the first time but only in the new Model 28 "shoulder bow" case with its reeded bezel and back. (V2 220-3) Cases were offered in white, green, or white and green 14k filled gold and in 10k yellow filled gold. The 21 jewel "Bunn Special" could be obtained in the new Model 29 case which had a very plain semicircular bow and "breakers" pattern engraved on bezel and back, (V2 255-3) or in the new "Art Deco" model 181 case which had stepped sides and stepped bow. (V2 219-1) As of this year, "Bunn Specials" were no longer offered uncased. (It should be noted that one First Model "chain link" case has been found that is stamped "Bunn Special" model "29" inside the back. All case numbers match so this can only be explained as a factory error.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have also seen other factory error stamping on cases....

[This message has been edited by terry hall (edited 07-29-2002).]

[Richard Morris]

Thank All Of You for the great answers!!! Rich

[michael chamelin]

Of course, Terry Hall and I are doing research on Wadsworth cases made for Hamilton watchs at the present time, I also am collecting info on Wadsworth cases made for the Illinois Watch Co., both for Bunn Specials and Sangamo Specials as well, however, at this time I will simply state that the lowest serial numbered WADSWORTH cases in the first model Bunn Special case design I have ever seen and recorded are in the 6.9 million serial number range. The highest serial number for a WADSWORTH first model Bunn Special case I have ever seen or recorded was in the 8.8 million range . I will not get into the range of dates that these serial numbers provide to me and the correct movements range they relate to as I will probably save that for a forth coming publication (if I can talk Terry Hall into it as he is my main motivator for speaking up and quite an enthusiast for sharing research) at which time we will attempt to satisfy your curiosity. Anyone who has a higher or lower serial number for a Wadsworth First Model Bunn Special case, I would enjoy hearing about it and the movement it may contain. The serial numbers I quoted do not refer to Sangamo Special Cases made by Wadsworth nor to the Keystone cases which include numerous other Bunn case designs, such as the 28, 173, etc. which is of course a different company and had an entirely different serial number range correlating to the year produced when paired with the Bunn Special movements. I have research on these cases as well but that would be another post.....thanks to all, michael chamelin.....