B. W. Raymond Model Keystone Cases

January 14, 2010, 13:51

Christopher Darwin

When did Elgin begin selling cased pocket watches?

Specifically, I have a homeless 1920 BWR and a very nice 14K white gold filled B. W. Raymond Keystone J. Boss case marked "Cased and Timed by Elgin National Watch Co." (I'd post pictures but I haven't figured out how to do it yet.)

Would the combination make sense from a chronological standpoint? It bothers me to see an obviously newer movement in an older case or vice-versa.

January 14, 2010, 15:22

Lindell V. Riddle

Hi Christopher,

When we get into these kinds of specifics it helps especially to have the movement number.

Prior to 1922 the Elgin advertisements for Railroad Watches showed high-pendant cases with antique bows. The very first "Elgin RR" case was advertised as "The New B.W. Raymond" in the October 1923 edition of "The Railroad Trainman" magazine. That case made by Star has "Elgin RR" just below the crown and is shown at the top, center position on page 194 of "The Complete Guide to Watches" 2010 Edition, there you will also find reference to a 1923 introduction date.

So far as I know the first time we find a case known as having "Keystone J. Boss" markings was in a November 1925 advertisement. Assuming you have researched your movement as being produced in 1920 then from what we can determine it is apparently a bit too early for any Elgin factory-marked railroad case, and even more so for the case you have in mind.

Hope this is helpful to you and others,

Lindell

1923 "Elgin RR" introduction advertisement...

January 14, 2010, 18:00

Christopher Darwin

I think you're comfirming what I suspected. The movement is a little old for the case. It would make a nice watch, though, even if it wouldn't be historically correct. I'll have to think about it.

I'm quite familiar with the "Elgin R.R." marked cases. I have two or three of them. In fact, the watch I'm refering to in my Timing and Consistancy thread looks exactly like the picture in the ad. Thank you for the info on those cases as well.