December 15, 2008, 22:51
Steve GossardFive B W Raymonds
Here are five B. W. Raymonds that illustrate one of the oldest to newest models. First, a grade 70. They made 74,500 of these 17 jewel watches. When I bought this one some years back I was told that it had been owned by the founder of the Lane Technological institute. I don't doubt it, but have nothing to substantiate the claim. I've noticed that a lot of these early Elgins have a spectacular gilding. I wonder how they did it.
December 15, 2008, 22:55
Steve GossardA grade 27. They made 45,000 of these.
December 15, 2008, 23:00
Steve GossardThen they made the three-quarter plate 18 size. This is a grade 240. They made 68,000 of these:
December 15, 2008, 23:05
Steve GossardHere is a 16s 391, of which 9,000 were made. All of this information is from Ehrhardt's Elgin book, by the way.
December 15, 2008, 23:06
Steve GossardInteresting that they jeweled the mainspring barrel for a 21 jewel movement.
December 15, 2008, 23:08
Steve GossardAnd finally a grade 478. They made 184,500 of these.
December 15, 2008, 23:10
Steve GossardThe B W Raymond vies with the Bunn Special for a grade name that spans the whole gamut of watch production theough the glory years of American watch production.