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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad grade pocket watch

Elgin B.W. Raymond 16-size railroad grade pocket watch

Partially verified

According to the source, this is an American railroad grade pocket watch made by the Elgin National Watch Company around 1911. It features a size 16, 17-jewel grade 370, model 15 movement with a safety barrel, lever escapement, and micrometer regulator, numbered 15502333. The movement is fitted into a gold-plated open-face screw-back case by B & B measuring 49 mm wide by 12 mm deep. The double-sunk white enamel dial displays black Arabic hour numerals, outer red five-minute markers, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the Elgin B.W. Raymond pocket watch showing the enamel dial and gold-plated case
Front view of the Elgin B.W. Raymond pocket watch showing the enamel dial and gold-plated case — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad grade pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Company
Reference
370 grade, model 15
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-111716
Source-reported date
c. 1911
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
15502333

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Movement and Technical Configuration

The timepiece features a 16-size, 17-jewel movement identified as grade 370, model 15, with serial number 15502333. It is a nickel three-quarter plate configuration equipped with a lever escapement, a safety barrel, and a micrometer regulator.

The source describes the movement as having large gold jewel settings, a gold hairspring, and a gold stud. The condition is reported by the seller as 90% mint with some light scratches.

Evidence for this section
  • “the nickel ¾ plate, 370 grade, model 15 movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator.”
  • “The movement is signed “B W Raymond, Elgin, Ill, USA, 17 Jewels, Safety Barrel” # 15502333.”
  • “The movement features large gold jewels settings, gold, a gold hairspring and stud.”
  • “The movement is in 90% mint condition – some light scratches”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch is fitted with a double-sunk white enamel dial signed 'Elgin' with blued steel hands. The dial displays Arabic numerals.

The source reports the dial is in 90% mint condition, noting a forked hairline crack near the 1 o'clock position and a single hairline crack near the 9 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel dial is double sunk with a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “Elgin”.”
  • “The dial is in 90% mint condition – a forked hairline on the 1 and a single on he 9”

Case Construction

The movement is housed in a gold-plated open-face case by B & B, featuring a screw-on back and bezel. The dimensions are 49 mm in width by 12 mm in depth.

The case back displays engine turning with a vacant crest. The seller reports light wear on the engine turning and minor marks on the sides of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “gold plated open face case by B & B with a screw on back and bezel.”
  • “The case has engine turning on the back with a vacant crest.”
  • “The watch measures 49mm wide x 12mm deep”
  • “the case has light wear on the engine turning and some little marks on the side of the case.”

Open research questions

  • What is the industry-standard definition of a 'Class A' railroad grade pocket watch during the early 20th century?
  • Can the specific production output figures (1,000 in a run, 7,200 total) be independently verified against Elgin production records for grade 370?
  • How does the 'B & B' case manufacturer distinguish itself in the market for railroad-grade pocket watch housings of this era?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin B.W. Raymond 16-size railroad grade pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade and Model370 grade, model 15“nickel ¾ plate, 370 grade, model 15 movement”
Movement Serial Number15502333“signed “B W Raymond, Elgin, Ill, USA, 17 Jewels, Safety Barrel” # 15502333”
Jewel Count17 Jewels“16 size 17 Jewel Elgin BW Raymond railroad grade pocket watch c1911”
CaseGold plated open face case by B & B“gold plated open face case by B & B with a screw on back and bezel”
Dimensions49mm wide x 12mm deep“The watch measures 49mm wide x 12mm deep”
Winding and SettingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Winding MechanismStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Estimated Datingc. 1911“16 size 17 Jewel Elgin BW Raymond railroad grade pocket watch c1911”

Visible details

  • Double-sunk white enamel dial signed 'ELGIN' with black Arabic numerals and red outer five-minute numerals
  • Blued steel spade-tipped hour and minute hands with a matching blued subsidiary seconds hand
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Polished gold-tone open-face case with fluted crown and rounded bow at 12 o'clock
  • Visible hairline cracks on the enamel dial extending across the 1 and 2 o'clock area and near 9 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The movement and interior case back are not depicted in the provided photograph; all internal specifications derive from dealer description.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

16 size 17 Jewel Elgin BW Raymond railroad grade pocket watch c1911 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 7a9c4d9208

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other open-face railroad grade pocket watch records