Men’s 1902 Illinois Hunter Case Pocket Watch w/Chain

The Illinois Watch Company is, without question, one of the jewels in the crown of American Watch Houses. Organized in Springfield, Ill. shortly after the Civil War, the company turned out during its 58-year run some of the most magnificent timepieces ever to come to light in this country. Pocket watches with names such as "Bunn Special," "Sangamo Special" and "Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire" and wristwatches such as the "Piccadilly," "Marquis" and "Speedway" – all went from innovation, to wide reception to legend. Illinois was farsighted enough to be one of the first American manufacturers to chase the silly idea of marketing a wristlet for men. Having made "convertible wristlets" for women, which could be used as a pendant, hung from a pin or worn with a cord or chain around the wrist, Illinois saw the rabid reception that wristlets received during WWI and felt the time had come for expanded wristwatch manufacture. 

Illinois Watch Company, known for their obsessive attention to detail, produced watches that were exciting, elegant, and extraordinarily well-crafted. Today these watches are prized by collectors and designers for their look and reliability.

One of the rarest, most desirable railroad-grade pocket watches ever made, this 24 ruby jeweled "Bunn Special" is, in a word, breathtaking. Everything about this remarkable work of tactile art is impressive, from its porcelain Gothic dial to its MAGNIFICENT 6 oz. silver case with wonderfully hand-carved vacant cartouche.

Open its double back and you'll find a beating heart of historic design and implementation: a solid nickel movement with mesmeric damascening, enamel inlaid engraving on its full plates and balance assembly. With suspended balance micrometer whip regulator, solid gold screw settings; solid gold train and fully adjusted to six positions plus heat, cold and isochronism (the winding down of the mainspring), this watch was a monument to American Watchmaking and the Railroad Era.

Rare enough in open face, hunter case examples are virtually non-existent.

Included with this work of horological art is the antique Victorian sterling silver pocket watch chain & attached compass fob. Comprised of thick links, hallmarked, quite unusual and striking, the chain alone weighs 3.31 ounces and is 14 inches long. The period compass fob measures approximately 1 " in diameter.

We can think of no better showcase for this exquisite timepiece than an equally exquisite period presentation box, measuring approximately 7 inches by 4 1/2 inches by 2 inches and crafted from the finest burl.

We invite you to take a look at the images of watch, chain and presentation box, as the comprise one of the finest sets offered for sale today.