#181 • Illinois, Bunn Special w/rare damascene, rare Montgomery dial, 21J, 18S

Part of 261119 - "Great Times Ahead" Watches, Jewelry & Coins - November 12 - November 19 (timed auction by Jones & Horan Auctions)

Starting at $10.00

Status: Available

Bidding closes Nov 19, 2026 2:30 PM EST

APW - Illinois, Bunn Special grade, mvt signed "Arley C. Metcalfe Baltimore, MD.," 21J, 18S, gold-filled OF recase with attractive engine turning and engraving detail, "Montgomery's Safety Numerical Dial Illinois" marked Montgomery white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, narrow stripe pattern nickel damascene, s#1524804. A very interesting railroad grade Illinois watch with two distinctly rare elements - its movement damascene, and its dial. The narrow stripe damascene is only found among a very small fraction of 18 size Bunn Special production, and is seen more often among factory marked production though a smaller number of private labels such as the present are known. The dial of this example is of particularly notable rarity, as we've only seen a handful of "Montgomery's Safety Numerical Dial" marked Illinois dials. This dial design was patented by Henry S. Montgomery. Henry S. Montgomery was the general watch inspector of the Santa Fe Railway systems. Please see our photos for a reproduction of an advertisement for the "Safety Numerical Dial" which is found in the June, 1910 issue of the "Santa Fe Employes' (sic) Magazine." CONDITION: Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, plates with some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches, some oxide to regulator spring; dial with horizontal hl across seconds-register, perimeter hl between 7 and 8, light hl at center above hands, small flake to upper-left rim of seconds-register; fine hands with areas of oxide and finish loss; case shows light to medium wear, few dings to central portions of rear, small ding to band at 8 and scattered nicks elsewhere, reduced engine turning and engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows light wear; glass crystal with internal edge chips at lower-left and upper-right. Estimate: $800 - $1,400 JH-80940