The Railroad Watch is a particularly American institution. These pocket watches were built, tested and regularly checked by railway Time Inspectors to make sure they conformed to rigid specifications. It cannot be emphasized enough how important Railroad Watches were to the safety of train passengers and freight during the late 19th and 20th centuries.The Illinois Bunn Specials quality, dependability and accuracy made them world famous. They were an important life-or-death tool for railway workers, and a constant source of pride and delight for the general public.

The venerable 21 Jewel Bunn Special movement is housed in a rare and desired “salesman display case.” This type of watch case was not available for sale to the public and was used to show the movement in action to potential customers without exposing the inner workings of the watch to dirt and debris. Rather than a solid case back, as seen in most pocket watches, this case featured a see-through case back so that you can observe the movement in operation. This window to the watch’s movement is a fantastic way to understand and appreciate the pocket watch in motion. The case cover for the “salesman display case” is referred to as a snap-on bezel. To help you open the case, we have included a case opener with this timepiece.

The Bunn Special Railroad Grade movement nestles in this rare Illinois marked salesman display case. Highlighted with this pristine rich double sunk dial fronted with the desired heat treated plum color railroad style hands. It’s the ideal size for dependable daily carry or pride of place on a desktop. It’s a sturdy yet beautiful watch from generations past, for generations to come.