Lindell V. Riddle
05-25-2002, 09:54 AM
Although I do not consider myself a "expert" on Elgin, it goes without saying you have something truly beautiful, and certainly worthwhile. The fact it has been in your family for so long makes it a virtually priceless heirloom, especially considering it's condition.
The B.W. Raymond was a high-grade movement, and was produced in various forms throughout the companies life history. It was named after the founder of the Elgin Watch Company Benjamin W. Raymond, who was also a former mayor of Chicago.
In order to determine exactly what you have we would need the serial number from the movement, and not numbers from the case. If it was produced around the time you believe, it would have a number in the vicinity of 1,500,000 and as I say, from the actual number quite a lot about your watch can be determined.
One of our members has created a wonderful website for Elgin with a tremendous amount of information.
That marvelous website can be accessed at <www.midwestos.com/elgin/index.html>
For values, we are not to get into that on this message board for several reasons, not the least of which is the subjectivity of "sight-unseen" appraisals. However I or one of the other members can provide a value range to you privately by e-mail, once you supply that all-important serial number..
You have something you may wish to consider putting on display in your home. A watch like yours is easily displayed along with a watch chain in a "double-display" dome for the watch and chain or a single dome for the watch alone. Such domes are glass covered and are relatively inespensive.
One seller for such domes would be S. LaRose at 1-888-752-7673 and you will find you can charge it over the phone. Personally I advocate having these watches on display for everyone to enjoy looking at and pondering their history.
I hope this is of help to you, enjoy the watch!
Lindell V. Riddle, NAWCC Life Member# 253
The B.W. Raymond was a high-grade movement, and was produced in various forms throughout the companies life history. It was named after the founder of the Elgin Watch Company Benjamin W. Raymond, who was also a former mayor of Chicago.
In order to determine exactly what you have we would need the serial number from the movement, and not numbers from the case. If it was produced around the time you believe, it would have a number in the vicinity of 1,500,000 and as I say, from the actual number quite a lot about your watch can be determined.
One of our members has created a wonderful website for Elgin with a tremendous amount of information.
That marvelous website can be accessed at <www.midwestos.com/elgin/index.html>
For values, we are not to get into that on this message board for several reasons, not the least of which is the subjectivity of "sight-unseen" appraisals. However I or one of the other members can provide a value range to you privately by e-mail, once you supply that all-important serial number..
You have something you may wish to consider putting on display in your home. A watch like yours is easily displayed along with a watch chain in a "double-display" dome for the watch and chain or a single dome for the watch alone. Such domes are glass covered and are relatively inespensive.
One seller for such domes would be S. LaRose at 1-888-752-7673 and you will find you can charge it over the phone. Personally I advocate having these watches on display for everyone to enjoy looking at and pondering their history.
I hope this is of help to you, enjoy the watch!
Lindell V. Riddle, NAWCC Life Member# 253