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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Elgin, United States · 19th century

W. B. Raymond

Partially verified

Watch grade

Life & work

B. W. Raymond was the first grade produced by Elgin, named after the mayor of Chicago.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • First Elgin watch grade

Inventions & patents

  • N/A

Signatures & markings on surviving work

  • B. W. Raymond, Elgin

Collecting significance

Authenticity depends on signatures and movement quality. For 19th-century makers, serial numbers often allow for precise dating. For modern independents, documentation from the maker is key.

Related photographs

Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch – 1925
Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch – 1925 — WatchMuseum.org, © WatchMuseum.org, used with permission. WatchMuseum.org catalogue record
Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch – 1925
Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch – 1925 — WatchMuseum.org, © WatchMuseum.org, used with permission. WatchMuseum.org catalogue record
Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch – 1925
Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch – 1925 — WatchMuseum.org, © WatchMuseum.org, used with permission. WatchMuseum.org catalogue record

No confidently matched photograph of this subject has been found yet. These photographs show a closely related record, and are not examples of the type described on this page.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. Loomes, B., The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain
  3. Ehrhardt, R., American Pocket Watch Identification and Price Guide
  4. Museum catalogue records

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.