| Subject: Re: Strange Elgin |
Author:
John
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 07:29:31 12/09/05 Fri
In reply to:
Lars Persson
's message, "Strange Elgin" on 11:43:39 12/08/05 Thu
Lars, I'll reply here for the benefit of others who may be interested in the answer, but yes, what you describe is correct. Elgin, as did most all of the old U.S. watch companies, had several "named grades" of watches, which were typically engraved on the movement as you describe. Not all watches were engraved this way - these are called usually called "nameless" grades.
Elgin's "B.W. Raymond" named grade was one of their higher quality grades, as it met standards for use on the railroads, where accuracy and reliability were of utmost importance. The "G.M. Wheeler" grade was a notch below this, but it was still considered a good quality gentleman's watch. There were many other named grades used by Elgin (H.H. Ferry, M.D. Ogden and Mat. Laflin, among others).
Usually the names of the company's principal investors or directors would be used on a company's named grades. George M. Wheeler was one of Elgin's original directors, and Benjamin W. Raymond the company's first president (and former mayor of Chicago, Ill. - Elgin is located just outside Chicago).
The engraving on the movement isn't really upside down - when looking at a watch movement, typically the barrel bridge (where "Elgin, Ill." is engraved) is considered the "bottom" of the watch. In other words, what's considered "up" or "down" on the movement side isn't related to which is "up" or "down" when looking at the dial side. If this watch was fitted into a hunter case (with the pendant at the 3 o'clock position), then the lettering on the movement would look sideways in relation to the dial side. I hope this last part is clear - it's a little hard to describe.
You have an early Elgin watch. In 1871 they were still known as the "National Watch Co.," and the dial should carry that name. In mid-1874 they changed their name to the "Elgin National Watch Co."
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
