Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

National Watch Co. B. W. Raymond early railroad pocket watch, Pennsylvania Railroad

Partially verified

This early American railroad open face pocket watch was produced circa 1870 by the National Watch Co. of Elgin, Illinois, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Designated as the B. W. Raymond model, it features a plain silver case measuring 59 mm in diameter with a silver cuvette. The white enamel dial is inscribed 'PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CO.' and features Roman numeral chapters, subsidiary seconds, and blued steel tulip hands. The watch is powered by an 18-size, 15-jewel gilt full plate first model lever movement with key winding and key setting. The movement includes jewels set in screwed chatons, a bimetallic compensation balance fitted with gold screws, a flat blued spring, and a polished index regulator.

Dial and movement views of the National Watch Co. B. W. Raymond pocket watch
Dial and movement views of the National Watch Co. B. W. Raymond pocket watch — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
National Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
43
Source-reported date
circa 1870
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
125468

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

Historical Context

This 18-size pocket watch was produced by the National Watch Company of Elgin, Illinois. It is identified as a B. W. Raymond model, a movement line first produced by the company in 1867, bearing the name of Benjamin W. Raymond, an early investor.

The watch is associated with the Pennsylvania Railroad, having been commissioned by the company in 1870. Contemporary documentation cited in the source indicates the railroad purchased approximately eighty of these 'Raymond movements' for its enginemen.

Evidence for this section
  • “Commissioned by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. in 1870, the present watch uses the first model of 18-size movement designed by the newly formed National Watch Company of Elgin Illinois.”
  • “First produced in 1867, it bore the name of Benjamin W. Raymond”
  • “This company has purchased and put in the hands of its enginemen eighty 'Raymond movements' which have given excellent satisfaction and proved to be very reliable time-keepers.”

Movement Specifications

The timepiece is powered by a gilt full plate first model 18-size, 15-jewel lever movement. The movement features jewels set in chatons, a bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, and a flat blued balance spring.

Regulation is managed via a long index arm and a polished calibrated scale on the backplate. The movement requires a key for both winding and time setting, as keyless work was not yet adopted at the Elgin factory during this production period.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt full plate first model 18-size 15-jewel lever movement, key wind and set, jewels in chatons”
  • “The bi metallic compensation balance carries numerous gold timing and poising screws. The length of the balance spring can be regulated by a long index arm and polished calibrated scale attached to the backplate.”
  • “As keyless work had yet to be adopted at Elgin, the watch still requires a key for winding and setting.”

Dial and Case Description

The watch is housed in a plain silver case measuring 59 mm in diameter, which includes a silver cuvette. The exterior features a rounded bow and a prominent spherical pendant.

The white enamel dial displays Roman numeral chapters and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is inscribed with 'PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CO.' and the watch is fitted with blued steel tulip hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “59 mm diam.”
  • “silver cuvette”
  • “White enamel dial inscribed 'PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CO.' below the 12 o'clock numeral”
  • “Open plain silver case with a rounded bow and prominent spherical pendant”
  • “blued steel tulip hands”
  • “subsidiary seconds”

Open research questions

  • Is the serial number 125468 visible and verified on the movement plate?
  • What specific archival records exist to confirm the individual provenance of this specific watch to the Pennsylvania Railroad beyond the company's general purchase of eighty units?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for National Watch Co. B. W. Raymond early railroad pocket watch, Pennsylvania Railroad
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelB. W. Raymond, no. 125468“B. W. Raymond, no. 125468, circa 1870”
Movement SpecificationsGilt full plate first model 18-size 15-jewel lever movement, key wind and set“Gilt full plate first model 18-size 15-jewel lever movement, key wind and set”
HandsBlued steel tulip hands“blued steel tulip hands”
Diameter59 mm“59 mm diam.”
CommissionCommissioned by the Pennsylvania Railroad“commissioned by the Pennsylvania Railroad”
Serial Number125468“B. W. Raymond, no. 125468”
MakerNational Watch Co., Elgin, Illinois“National Watch Co., Elgin, Illinois.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial inscribed 'PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CO.' below the 12 o'clock numeral
  • Open plain silver case with a rounded bow and prominent spherical pendant
  • Blued steel tulip hands with a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Gilded full plate movement visible with open cuvette/caseback, engraved balance cock, blued screws, and regulator index

Research qualifications

  • Serial number 125468 is recorded by the auction house description but is not clearly legible on the movement plate at provided image resolution
  • Movement operation and timekeeping accuracy are unverified

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : National Watch Co., Elgin, Illinois. A rare silver open face early railroad watch commissioned by the Pennsylvania RailroadB. W. Raymond, no. 125468, circa 1870

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record a2fbc4efae

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face pocket watch records