Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch (1926) with Antique Display Case

LTFL Background and Ownership History

LTFL recently acquired this beautifully preserved Illinois Bunn Special Railroad pocket watch (Model 14, Type 1), circa 1926. Housed in a stunning antique “carriage-style” display case, this complete package offers a rare opportunity for both pocket watch enthusiasts and collectors of fine vintage horology.

Luxury Time For Less® does not know the history of this watch prior to it coming into our possession, and cannot speculate on its earlier ownership or history.

Heritage and Brand Origins

Pocket watches were created in the early 1500’s, in Germany. Their original technology produced only an hour hand, hence their inaccuracy. Pocket watches were initially worn around the neck, but that later changed in the late 1600’s, where the pocket became their new (and current) “destination.” Pocket watches were popular for daily use until the invention of the wrist watch, shortly after the end of WWI (during WWI the “trench watch”, used by the military, served as a “transitional” timepiece from the pocket watch to the wrist watch.) During the “reign” of pocket watches for daily use, America far surpassed Europe for engineering, productivity, & craftspersonship. Dominant pocket watch companies like Waltham, Hamilton, Elgin, Illinois (among others), manufactured tens of millions of them. Today, while pocket watches are rarely worn for daily use, there remains a bevy of pocket watch enthusiasts, aficionados, & dealers, as evidenced by various/numerous pocket watch shows, sites, podcasts, & marketing venues.

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