I own Elgin S/N 70003, an 1868 B. W. Raymond, Grade 69. Its case is not original and is absolute junk. The crystal is yellowish wartime plastic. The hands are long gone and the canon pinion looks awefully rusty. The balance staff is good but the watch doesn't run.

I recently aquired Elgin S/N 197125, an 1873 G. M. Wheeler, Grade 57. This one is in a very interesting, heavy, silver(? no hallmark) case that appears original to the watch. The original glass crystal is in good condition. The dial is dirty but flawless and is marked "National Watch Co." The watch doesn't run.

My intent is to restore the B. W. Raymond, use the "National Watch Co." dial and put it in the good case. The result should be a very desireable, very old, functioning B. W. Raymond.

My thought is to use the G. M. Wheeler movement, which would be homeless, for parts as needed. I would have the work performed by an experienced watchmaker.

My question is: Are parts like the canon pinion in the Grade 57 likely to fit the Grade 69 if they're needed?

On these early models the Cannon Pinion was oftentimes hand-fitted to the main wheel. A rusty Cannon PInion is usually not a big problem because the bore is not rusted. In any event, if you are having a Watchmaker work on it, let them decide.

Chris

As David said it would be up to your watchmaker what he did. But I looked up both your serial numbers in my Elgin parts book;

BWR 70003 was a class 1 18s full plate hunter 1st model Key gilded quick train

Wheeler 197125 was a class 4 18s full plate hunter key gilded slow train.

The book shows class 1 to 4 took the same cannon pinion & was part number 16, it is a key set cannon pinion.

Tom

Hey Christopher, I also have an 1868 18 size B.W.Raymond. Mine is #70940,and it is in a sterling silver hunting case. It is one of my favorites. Sounds like you have the right plan.

One interesting thing about the case is there are hammer marks on the inside of the back cover. The outside face is smooth. It looks like the cover was as least partially hammered into shape then the outer surface gound smooth. It's quite heavy. The entire watch weighs about 8 oz. or twice as much as most of my watches.