Railroad Watch

Description:

Railroad managers learned that to have their lines run on time, they needed to issue accurate timepieces to their employees. This watch was made in 1869 by Elgin National Watch Company, Elgin, Ill., under contract to the Pennsylvania Railroad. Outside case back is engraved "449," the number of the locomotive on which the watch was used. The "449" was a Baldwin 10-wheeler delivered to the railroad in July 1869.

The watch is an 18-size, 15-jewel key-wind movement in silver case. Movement marked: "B.W. Raymond / Patent Pinion / No. 69170 / Elgin, Ills." The B. W. Raymond model was named for Elgin’s first president, who also had been mayor of Chicago twice and president of the Elgin and State Line Railroad Co. Inside of dust cap marked: "7431." Inside of case back stamped: "J. R. Reed & Co. / Pitts / Coin / 7431." Dial reads: "PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CO." Its steel winding key survives.

Date Made: ca 1869

Manufacturer: Elgin National Watch Co.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Work and Industry: Mechanisms, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1982.0517.01Accession Number: 1982.0517Catalog Number: 1982.0517.01Serial Number: 69170

Object Name: watchOther Terms: watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch

Physical Description: silver (watch case material)Measurements: overall: 3 in x 2 1/8 in x 5/8 in; 7.62 cm x 5.3975 cm x 1.5875 cmface: 4.5974 cm; 1 13/16 inoverall, key: 1 1/4 in x 3/8 in x 1/8 in; 3.175 cm x .9525 cm x .3175 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-9f61-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_856440

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.