The Railroad had a tremendous impact on American lives in the nineteenth century. Much of the progress during that era was largely attributed to the trains which carried food, goods and people to one city or another. The railroad system also carried the United States mail and enabled candidates to bring their platform to people in every state. Truly the train station held memories for most everyone and had a link with every family (Cooksey Shugart).On April 19 1891 an event occurred that exposed the need for railroad personnel to acquire more reliable timepieces. That April morning the fast mail train, known as the No.4, was going east. On the same track an accommodation train was going west from Elyria, Ohio. The Engineer thought his train was leaving on time but did not know that his watch had stopped for four minutes and then started again.( Some say that the engineer meant to wind his watch and inadvertently set his watch back four minutes). The conductor apparently did not check his watch. The two trains met their destiny at Kipton near Cleveland Ohio. The fast mail train was full speed ahead and collided with the accommodation train which was under full brakes. At least eleven people were killed including both engineers. The United States Post Office as well as both railroad companies suffered great losses in property. It was because of this disaster that a commission was appointed to develop standards for railroad timepieces that would be adopted by every railroad. The industry needed precision timepieces. The United States Government appointed Webb C. Ball to head up a commission to develop standards to be adopted by ALL RAILROADS. From that disaster was born a watch that was more accurate than many scientific instruments in the laboratory. It was unrivaled in quality and reliability anywhere in the world. This is the Elgin 16 size 21 jewel railroad grade and railroad approved pocket watch. It is a lever set, pendant wind movement. Its 21, pressed in, ruby jewels is set on a 3/4, straight line Damaskeened, nickel plate. This is a model 571 that has eight (8) adjustments including heat, cold and isochronism.This movement is housed in a 10 karat, rolled gold, Keystone, J Boss,Streamline 3055, tear drop, plain bezel watch case made for Elgin. As the picture shows it is cased and timed by the Elgin watch company. This is a triple signed watch which a rare find today.This is an approved railroad grade dial that is marked with big black Arabic twelve hour chapters and bold black five minute markers. It has a sunk sub dial with black Arabic sixty second numbers and a second hand. This watch is in extra fine condition with no dents or crazes anywhere. It is a lever set and pendant wind movement that runs and keeps time. This will make a fine addition to an Elgin railroad pocket watch collection. It could also be a very nice gift for the up coming season. But whatever you do, dont snooze on this very valuable timepiece. IF YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE!

The Railroad had a tremendous impact on American lives in the nineteenth century. Much of the progress during that era was largely attributed to the trains which carried food, goods and people to one city or another. The railroad system also carried the United States mail and enabled candidates to bring their platform to people in every state. Truly the train station held memories for most everyone and had a link with every family (Cooksey Shugart). On April 19 1891 an event occurred that exposed the need for railroad personnel to acquire more reliable timepieces. That April morning the fast mail train, known as the No.4, was going east. On the same track an accommodation train was going west from Elyria, Ohio. The Engineer thought his train was leaving on time but did not know that his watch had stopped for four minutes and then started again.( Some say that the engineer meant to wind his watch and inadvertently set his watch back four minutes). The conductor apparently did not check his watch. The two trains met their destiny at Kipton near Cleveland Ohio. The fast mail train was full speed ahead and collided with the accommodation train which was under full brakes. At least eleven people were killed including both engineers. The United States Post Office as well as both railroad companies suffered great losses in property. It was because of this disaster that a commission was appointed to develop standards for railroad timepieces that would be adopted by every railroad. The industry needed precision timepieces. The United States Government appointed Webb C. Ball to head up a commission to develop standards to be adopted by ALL RAILROADS. From that disaster was born a watch that was more accurate than many scientific instruments in the laboratory. It was unrivaled in quality and reliability anywhere in the world. The watch makers competed for the contracts. Out of this competition came some of the most brilliant innovations such as the lever setting, the 60 hour mainspring, the stainless steel mainspring, the up and down wind indicators et.al. They also appealed to the mainstream public with the Damaskeening or gilding of the movement plates. This is the Elgin16 size 21 jewel railroad grade and railroad approved pocket watch. It is a lever set, pendant wind movement with 21 jewels pressed in gold jewel settings. It has eight (8) adjustments set to heat, cold and isochronism on a 3/4, straight line Damaskeened nickel plate. It has a Ball regulator and a quick train. This is the model 571 watch with a 10 karat, gold filled, style 3055 streamline case. It is cased and timed by The Elgin Watch Company. It is in superb condition with no dings or dents. The single sunk dial is marked with big, black, Arabic twelve hour chapters and bold, black five minute markers. It has a subsidiary dial with black, Arabic sixty second numerals and a second hand. This watch is clean and running strong while keeping time. It will make a nic addition to your Elgin watch collection. IF YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE!

This is a railroad grade railroad approved Elgin B.W. Raymond pocket watch. It is a pendant wind, lever set movement with 21 ruby jewels in screw down gold jewel settings on a 3/4, unbelievably beautiful, Damaskeened nickel plate. It is a first generation model eight (8) movement with a diamond jeweled double safety barrel, a Breguet hairspring, and sapphire pallet. It is housed in an open faced, screw back and bezel,10 karat rolled gold plate, Illinois Watch Company case with a plain bezel and a back with straight line engraving and a non-personalized shield ready for your engraved lettering. This 18 sized timepiece has a single sunk porcelain dial with huge, black Arabic twelve hour chapters and big black five minute markers. It has a subsidiary dial with black Arabic numbers and a second hand. All of the hands are beautifully blued. (I believe this could be a replacement dial because the original should be double sunk porcelain) I like this single sunk dial because it displays the whole face unobscured. It is signed Elgin. It will make a very nice addition to an Elgin watch collection.This is a very rare and valuable timepiece that has withstood the test of time (no pun intended).If only I could last this long and run as well! Dont snooze on it! IF YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE!