Illinois dials

[Dbailey]

I'm wondering if anyone could tell me what models these dials were used on...I know Bunn Specials for one but even that I'm wondering if these were used on the higher grades of BS...like the 23J, 161, 163, etc...were they used primarily during a specific period of watch production and not ,say, the later years?...thanks in advance!
Dennis B

[Fred Hansen]

The first step is finding which 16 size Illinois models the dial feet match to.

If the feet are at the 24.5, 36.5, and 55.5 minute positions the dial fits to a hunting case or open face Getty model (model 4 or 5, characteristic feature is a single visible winding wheel on the movement).

If the feet are at the 17.5, 39, and 58 minute positions the dial fits to a model 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, and 15).

If the feet are at the 13.5, 39, and 58 minute positions the dial fits to a model 8 or 12 (hunting case lever-set with two visible winding wheels).

The style of your dial on the left is typical to higher grade later Getty model movements. Among Getty models I'd say I see this dial in about the 1905-1913 date range, and you might see it on a Sangamo, A. Lincoln, grade 187, or grade 189 from this era. So just judging by style the late high grade Getty model is most likely but I have also seen this dial on a small number of model 9 movements, and if the feet positions were for a model 9 (or a model 8) then I would expect it among one of the early high grades (Bunn Special, Sangamo Special, A. Lincoln) of the 1913-1915 period.

The dial I see on the right is a style that from what I've seen shows up most often on watches in the upper 2 million and through the 3 million serial ranges (so maybe roughly 1916-1921). I see this dial on the 21 and 23 jewel Bunn Special grade in this serial range, but have also seen it sometimes among the non-railroad 17 and 19 jewel grades as well.

Fred

p.s. Both dial styles are in my opinion quite a bit too early for any of the 60 hour Bunn Specials (which of course includes the 161 and 163 series at the late end).

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[Dbailey]

Very helpful info...thanks Fred!
Dennis B