Raymond grade, an 18-size, 15-jewels, key wind, key set, full plate, quick train and straight line escapement design adjusted to temperature (later assigned grade 69). 18 Size Movements Manufactured for Railroad ServiceĮlgin's first movement, completed in April 1867, was the B.W. Raymond, to a range of grade numbers of various sizes and jeweling, but finished to the same level of quality. If a change was made a different grade number would be assigned. Elgin assigned a grade number to a movement of a specific size, jeweling and finish. Elgin watch grades identify the level of quality to which they are finished. Prices were also reduced resulting in increased demand.Įlgin became best known for producing the "working man's" mid-grade watches, however, they also produced a number of high grade watches. The 18-size and 16-size watch models were redesigned and smaller size watches for general use were introduced. The company officially changed its name to the Elgin National Watch Company in May 1874, as the Elgin name had come into common usage for their watches.ĭuring the mid-1870's the company developed a lower priced line of watches. They also produced the Elgin Almanac from 1871 to 1876 to help advertise watches. The National Watch Company employed representatives to help sell the product to wholesalers, and ran advertisements in magazines and newspapers to purchase their movements through local jewelry stores. Elgin did not produce watch cases, retail customers would pick out a watch movement and a watch case, a jeweler would fit them together. The National Watch Company, like the American Waltham Watch Company, relied on jewelry wholesalers to distribute the movements it produced. By late 1873 the product line included at least 14 different grades and production was estimated at 100,000 movements per year.
Raymond movement was placed on the market. During the early part of the 1870's the factory was enlarged.
Raymond grade 15-jewels movements were built with Pennsylvania Rail Road on the dial for service on the Pennsylvania Rail Road.īy 1870 the plant was turning out 25,000 watches each year and employed nearly 300 men and 200 women. Taylor grade was introduced in November 1867, also an adjusted 15-jewel, high grade, full plate movement advertised for use by railroad men. Culver in July 1867, also a 15-jewel, adjusted, high grade, full plate movement. The watch was an 18-size, 15-jewels, key wind, key set, full plate, quick train and straight line escapement design adjusted to temperature (later assigned grade 69). The first movement, completed in April 1867, was named the B.W. The factory in Elgin, Illinois, thirty miles northwest of Chicago, was completed in 1866. Several key watchmakers were recruited from the American Waltham Watch Co. The National Watch Company was first incorporated in Chicago, Illinois, in August 1864. Raymond, past Chicago mayor and member of the board of directors of the Chicago and Galena Union Railroad, promoted the construction of a watch factory in the West. Adams, Chicago watchmaker and timekeeper for the railroad serving the Chicago area, along with Benjamin W. Working watches of this era and grade are listed on eBay for ~ $140.Elgin National Watch Company, Elgin, Illinois Elgin produced their first wristwatch around 1910, leading most other American watch companies by many years. The first watch Elgin made, an 18 sized B W Raymond railroad grade watch, was finished in 1867 and over the next 100 years, they went on to produce about 60 million watches. This link will take you to what the Elgin serial number database for this watch.: Įlgin was founded in 1864, right as the civil war was coming to an end. Here’s what an Elgin Watch collector’s website says about, S/N 30855173:Įlgin produced 730,900 watches of this grade between 1904 and 1932. Reverse side is plain, except for the engraving around the edge that you see on the front. Description: A 1927 non-working, silver tone, open face Elgin pocket watch with a snap on back cover and crystal.
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