Men’s 1961 Elgin B.W. Raymond Railroad Watch

When we think of great vintage watches, we think classics that were lauded when produced, then elevated to legendary status as the extent of their quality revealed itself. A great vintage watch transcends the level of ordinary timepieces. It is a work of mechanical art, a triumph of engineering prowess that is also beautiful. It is this marriage between art and engineering that makes fine timepieces so alluring. It's why we're here.

This 23 ruby-jeweled, solid stainless steel B.W. Raymond by Elgin National Watch Company falls squarely within the exclusive arena of wrist art.

Following a hallowed tradition of naming their highest grade movements after founders and investors, Elgin chose to honor Mr. Benjamin W. Raymond, the former mayor of Chicago, who put together the team of investors who founded Elgin National Watch Company. The name "B.W. Raymond" was bestowed on the very first movement built by the company, and was reserved for the company's ultra high-grade railroad grade pocket watches.

Later, combining the wrist stance we love in a fine watch – a crisp, Mid-Century look; oversized, with design elements like black baton hands and clear Minimalist numerals – with spectacular engineering, Elgin continued to set the standard in watch design by creating one of the highest-grade wristwatches ever produced. Its name? B.W. Raymond, of course.

This Elgin triumph was so well received by an astonished public that it made history – by being the first wristwatch to be accepted and approved for railroad use. A 23 jewel manual wind "730" masterpiece had, among other attributes, a true hack feature, a futuristic "durabalance" assembly and an iron dial for complete magnetic shielding. Adjusted in six positions just like their pocket watch predecessors, B.W. Raymonds were calibrated at the factory on a special timing machine.

This example is factory-cased in solid stainless steel, which measures an oversized at 42mm lug to lug by 36mm in diameter, with an "R.R." marked screw-back to insure water-resistance. It features thick, blued hands, a magnificently restored dial and perfect crystal. We have, of course, taken the liberty of completely cleaning, oiling and calibrating this classic so that it keeps time as it was intended, as well as fitting the piece with a fine black shark strap and matching buckle. If it is a true work of horological art you're seeking, you've found it.