Some of my favorite Elgins have the Grade 240, 18 size, 19 jewel, 3/4 plate, damaskeened movement, made between 1899 and 1912.

I like them because they have a large diameter but a relatively thin profile. The 3/4 plate design lets you see down into the works and the elaborate damaskeening is just plain beautiful. Most of them are unstopable and keep good time.

I'm wondering if these were the last grade of 18 size watches Elgin made.

I'd also be interested in any anecdotes about these great old Grade 240 watches.

Chris, The Elgn 3/4 PLate Model 8, alone and as a Grade 240 has several very worthy qualities;
1. It is the ONLY true 3/4 PLate US-made 18s Railroad Grade 20th Century watch made, and the last "new" design 18s Watch.
2. The superior design, performance, servicability and price of Elgin Model 8 (and 9) movements helped propel Elgin to become the largest Jeweled Watchmaker in the World.
3. The Grade 240 (specifically) is well respected by many as it has no "fluffery" in the Jeweling, being basically a 17 Jewel movement with the extra pair of Jewels supporting the the Motor Barrel.
4. The Grade 240 has the same Premium grade attention to finish (some with Diamond Endstones) and fit as the much more expensive 23 Jewel "Veritas".

Right now, I have three of these up for auction, 2 (with Diamond Endstones) on eBay and one (with a Gold Filled Locomotive case) right here on IHC185 at;
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...26021842/m/294105633

As far as 18 size grades you had 3 400 series 18 size grades, 1-grade 400 1000 made serial number end 17,068,000 2- grade 411 1000 made serial number range 17,288,001-17,289,000, 3-grade 412 3600 made serial number range 15,939,401-16,749,000. These were the last new grades made but some of the existing 18 size grades continuted being produced. 390- up to 15,939,499, 389- up to 17,310,000, 369- up to 17,445,000, 367- up to 22,889,000, 312(15J)- up to 30,715,000. The 239(16,279,000) and 240(17,376,000) both had long production runs. As you can see is that Elgin stopped production of RR grade 18 size movements in the low 17 million but the 18 size continuted being made all the way up into the 30 million range. I think Ball pretty much regulated the 18 size out of existance but there were some like the 412 that probably would have been accepted on some railroad lines (some still accepted adj 3pos into the early 20's (Sante Fe comes to mind). I used to avoid 18 size watches but after a bit found that logic a bit flawed so I collect them when I can find a good example at a good price which is the same logic that I use for picking up 16s watches. Just a note the grade 367 Father Time was RR approved and continued up the 22 million range but the other RR approved 18 size movement phased out in the early 17 million range. The Father Time 367 and the BWR 390 were both very nice 18 size 21 jewel movements.

I have several 3/4 plate Elgins but no 239/240's but the Father Time 367 or the BWR 390 are beautiful well made watches well worth a look. The 412 is a nice striped DMK movement that shows up at times and tends to be overlooked by most but it is a good 21j movement, not as much glamor as the 367/390 and only adjusted to 3 positions but a nice solid movement.

David, I read somewhere (heck, it may have even been one of YOUR posts) that the 240 required a different footed dial than some of the other big 18s Elgins.

Did I read that correctly, or did I just dream the whole thing?

Regards! Mark

The 3/4 18 size Elgins and the 18 size full plate Elgins had different feet positions so they are not interchangeable.

Ah, that's what was meant! Thanks Claude!

Regards! Mark

Those 240 B.W. Raymonds are one of Elgin's finest and most popular railroads.Like Dave said above, it's just as nice as a 23J Veritas, but without the 4 useless cap jewels and the high price tag! I personally like the Old English lettering on the 240 better than the script lettered Veritas.I think Mr. B.W. Raymond himself would have been proud to have his name on such a fine watch...Regards, Ted.

I'll eventually be looking for replacement dials for a couple of my 240's. To save me having to take one apart and look, can anyone tell me where the dial feet should be for this watch? I'm assuming, from the replies to this thread, that these dials are unique and probably a little hard to find.

Sir, Yes Sir

13.0- 36.2- 56.2

regards,
bb