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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Elgin B.W. Raymond 21-Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Elgin B.W. Raymond open-face railroad pocket watch is reported by the auction house to feature a 21-jewel movement adjusted to five positions, manufactured circa 1924 based on movement serial number 27606237. The white dial displays bold black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The watch is cased in yellow 12-karat gold fill measuring approximately two inches in diameter, featuring a grooved decorative bezel pattern, top winding crown, and 'ELGIN R.R.' stamped directly beneath the winder.

Dial and front view of the Elgin B.W. Raymond 21-jewel railroad pocket watch
Dial and front view of the Elgin B.W. Raymond 21-jewel railroad pocket watch — Austin Auction Gallery. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0011
Source-reported date
1924
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
27606237

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

The pocket watch displays an open-face configuration with a white dial signed 'ELGIN' in sans-serif capital letters below the 12 o'clock marker. It features bold black painted Arabic numerals and blued steel spade hour and minute hands.

A sunken subsidiary seconds dial with Arabic indicators and a blued seconds hand is located at 6 o'clock. The front perimeter of the case is bordered by a beveled bezel with a repeating textured notched pattern.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face white dial signed 'ELGIN' in uppercase sans-serif lettering beneath 12 o'clock.”
  • “Bold black painted Arabic numeral hour markers with a sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Beveled bezel featuring a repeating textured notched pattern around the front perimeter.”

Case Construction and Exterior Stamping

The auction catalog describes the housing as a 12kt gold fill case measuring approximately 2 inches in diameter. Directly beneath the ribbed winding crown on the neck of the case, the watch is stamped 'Elgin R.R.'

Case back markings and internal manufacturer hallmarks are not recorded in this source, as only a frontal view is provided.

Evidence for this section
  • “12kt gold fill case”
  • “stamped Elgin R.R. below winder”
  • “approx 2"diam”

Movement Details and Reported Specifications

According to the auction listing, the movement is an Elgin B.W. Raymond 21-jewel railroad watch movement adjusted to five positions. The serial number is recorded as 27606237, which the catalog notes as manufactured in 1924.

The movement was listed by the auction house as 'operating at this time' for its January 2014 sale. Because no view of the uncased movement is provided in this source, internal finishes, exact caliber markings, and ongoing mechanical timing remain unverified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Elgin B.W. Raymond 21 jewel railroad watch”
  • “adjusted to five positions”
  • “SN 27606237”
  • “mfg. 1924”
  • “operating at this time”

Open research questions

  • What manufacturer signatures, case reference numbers, or patent stamps are present inside the 12kt gold-filled case back?
  • What grade number and mechanical finishes (e.g., damaskeening pattern) are visible on movement serial number 27606237 upon internal inspection?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin B.W. Raymond 21-Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelB.W. Raymond 21 jewel railroad watch“Elgin B.W. Raymond 21 jewel railroad watch”
AdjustmentsAdjusted to five positions“adjusted to five positions”
Case Material12kt gold fill case“12kt gold fill case”
Case StampingElgin R.R. below winder“stamped Elgin R.R. below winder”
DiameterApprox. 2 inches“approx 2"diam”
Movement Serial Number27606237“SN 27606237”
Manufacture Date1924“mfg. 1924”
Seller Operational ClaimOperating at the time of cataloguing (January 2014)“operating at this time”

Visible details

  • Open-face white dial signed 'ELGIN' in uppercase sans-serif lettering beneath 12 o'clock.
  • Bold black painted Arabic numeral hour markers with a sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel spade hour and minute hands and a blued subsidiary seconds hand.
  • Beveled bezel featuring a repeating textured notched pattern around the front perimeter.
  • Engraving reading 'ELGIN R.R.' stamped on the case neck directly under the ribbed winding crown.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and case back hallmarks are not visible in the provided photograph; movement details, jewel count, and adjustments are taken from source cataloguing.
  • Operational condition reported at the time of the 2014 auction is unverified.

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

Consulted source

Operating Elgin B.w. Raymond 21 Jewel Pocket Watch - Jan 11, 2014 | Austin Auction Gallery In Tx

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 87dd0133d0

Terms in this record

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

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