What you see before you is a B.W.R. model Elgin pocket watch. The initials stand for Benjamin Wright Raymond. As the story goes, Benjamin Raymond was the former mayor of Chicago in the 1840s, but he was also a businessman. In 1864, he partnered with a group of entrepreneurs, including J.C. Adams from Waltham Watch Company and built Elgin National Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois. Four of the partners bought 35 acres of land and then donated it to the company where they built a facility which was completed in 1866. The new watch company convinced 7 Waltham watchmakers to resign from Waltham to start building Elgin watches. The first Elgin model was released in 1867 and was named after B.W. Raymond. Elgin produced watches until around 1968.

This heavy pocket watch features a silveroid Keystone open face sidewinder case. The American made movement signed B.W. Raymond for Benjamin Wright Raymond. Made in Elgin, Illinois. The BWR movement in this piece was considered a workhorse movement in its day. The ticking sound it puts out is phenomenal! Excellent for ASMR or meditating. This is a solid railroad style watch suitable for your desk or jeans pocket.

This series was produced between 1874 and 1895. There were 74,500 made. Based on the serial number, this watch was likely made sometime between 1890 and 1891.

In 2019 you have two choices for American watches: buy into confusing marketing hype and phrases like “built in Detroit” or “designed in LA” or you can own a watch like this that was actually 100% made in USA.

Detailed Specs:

• Approximate Age: circa 1890
• Made in USA
• Movement Serial: 4100674
• Case Serial: 8938070
• Grade: 70
• Size: 18s
• Adjusted with safety pinion
• Jewels: 15
• Type: Crown wind, lever set
• Dial: White Roman with blued steel hands
• Case Style: Open dial
• Stamped: Keystone Watch Case / Guaranteed Genuine
• Case Finish: Silveroid
• Case Diameter: 57mm
• Total Weight: 159g/5.6oz

Condition: Running condition. Crown winds the movement, but sometimes there is slipping when setting the hands. Needs work. Front and back covers snap shut as they should to create a very smooth case. There is wear from previous owners opening the cover with a case knife. The dial is clean with some hairline cracks, mostly noticeable between 10:00 and 11:00. The crystal is excellent. It has not been polished or serviced by us.

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