Pocket watch · Open-face railroad-grade pocket watch

Elgin B.W. Raymond Grade 455 Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the auction house, this 1922 Elgin open-face pocket watch houses a 16-size Grade 455 B.W. Raymond movement inside a Wadsworth Grade A 10K gold-filled case. The source documents a 19-jewel, 3/4 plate nickel-finish movement with a double roller escapement and lever setting, adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and five positions. Visually, the watch exhibits a white dial bearing black Arabic numerals, ornate gilt embellishments, an outer minute track, blued spade hands, and a sunk subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the Elgin open-face pocket watch displaying the fancy dial and gold-filled case — Sphere Auctions LLC. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.liveauctioneers.com
Category: Pocket watch · Open-face railroad-grade pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Elgin National Watch Co.
Reference: Grade 455
Catalogue / lot identifier: 0163
Source-reported date: 1922
Country: United States
Source-reported serial: 24551840

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

Visual Dial and Case Appearance

In the primary front photograph, the watch presents an open-face yellow gold-colored case with patterned or scalloped border engraving visible along the bezel and the bow. The white dial is signed 'ELGIN' and features black Arabic numerals accompanied by ornate gilt scroll or floral accents. A sunk subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock.

Indications are provided by a blued spade hour hand and matching minute hand over an outer perimeter track. The internal movements and interior case markings are not exposed in this primary image.

Evidence for this section

“White dial signed ELGIN with black Arabic numerals and gilt scroll or floral accents”
“Blued spade hour hand and matching minute hand”
“Sunk subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock”
“Patterned or scalloped border engraving along the bezel and bow of the yellow gold-colored case”

Reported Movement Specifications

The auction catalog reports that the watch contains an Elgin 16-size Grade 455 B.W. Raymond movement with serial number 24551840, dated to 1922. The source states the movement is an open-face, lever-set, 3/4 plate configuration with a nickel finish and 19 jewels in ruby and sapphire gold screw-set mounts.

According to the listing, the movement features a double roller escapement and adjustments to temperature, isochronism, and 5 positions to meet railroad grade standards. Because the movement plate is not depicted in the provided front photo, these mechanical details reflect seller catalog descriptions.

Evidence for this section

“The 16-size movement (serial #24551840) is a 19-jewel, open-face configuration with ruby and sapphire jewel settings in gold screw-set mounts.”
“It features a double roller escapement and is adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and 5 positions—meeting full railroad grade standards.”
“The 3/4 plate movement is lever-set”

Case Housing and Dial Verification Limitations

The catalog notes that the watch is housed in an 'original Wadsworth Grade A 10K gold-filled case (serial H569032)'. The inner case back, cuvette, and maker hallmarks are not recorded in the visible photo.

Additionally, the seller advertises the dial as a 'rare factory fancy dial' on a railroad-grade piece, highlighting gold and starburst accents. The source does not provide factory ledger records or documentation to substantiate whether this decorative dial configuration originated from the Elgin factory or represents a subsequent pairing.

Evidence for this section

“original Wadsworth Grade A 10K gold-filled case (serial H569032)”
“rare factory fancy dial, showcasing a unique design with elegant gold and starburst accents not typically seen on B.W. Raymond models.”

Open research questions

Do internal case stamps verify the Wadsworth Grade A 10K gold-filled designation and serial number H569032?
Does inspection of the movement plate confirm Elgin Grade 455 markings and serial 24551840?
Does historical Elgin documentation substantiate factory delivery of fancy decorative dials on Grade 455 B.W. Raymond railroad movements?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin B.W. Raymond Grade 455 Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Movement Serial	24551840	“The 16-size movement (serial #24551840) is a 19-jewel, open-face configuration”
Case Serial	H569032	“original Wadsworth Grade A 10K gold-filled case (serial H569032)”
Jewels	19	“is a 19-jewel, open-face configuration with ruby and sapphire jewel settings”
Size	16s	“Size: 16s”
Escapement	Double roller	“It features a double roller escapement”
Adjustments	5 positions, temperature, isochronism	“Adjusted: 5 positions, temperature, isochronism”

Visible details

White dial signed ELGIN with black Arabic numerals and gilt scroll or floral accents
Blued spade hour hand and matching minute hand
Sunk subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock
Patterned or scalloped border engraving along the bezel and bow of the yellow gold-colored case

Research qualifications

Movement and interior case back markings are not visible in the provided photograph; specifications rely on auction house descriptions
Railroad certification and original factory fancy dial claims are source-reported and not verified

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

Consulted source

1922 Elgin B.w. Raymond Grade 455 Pocket Watch 16s, 19j, Rr Grade Rare Fancy Dial 10k Gf Case - Jul 6, 2025 | Sphere Auctions Llc In Wi

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5fd66299ad

Terms in this record

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