This is my Elgin Grade 76 from 1887. It is size 18, 15 jewels, pendant wind and set. The movement is hinged and swings out the front, which makes it a little unusual among my Elgin pocket watches, which normally have a rear screw-down plate.
The movement is marked "H.H. Taylor" and Pocket Watch Database claims it is "railroad grade." If that's true, it's the first in my collection that I've found to be. Railroad grade means that, in general, it was acceptable for use by railroad employees where having the accurate time was critical to their lives and livelihoods. Train wrecks have been blamed on faulty watches and engineer or conductor who didn't realize he was dangerously ahead or behind schedule.
The 19th century railroads came up a set of criteria for a watch that they would allow conductors and engineers to use for their jobs. The criteria varied depending on the road, though in the 20th century it would become standardized. In general, the criteria are:
- Size 16 or 18
- Open face dial with pendant at 12 o'clock position (no sidewinders or hunting cases)
- Black numerals on a white face
- 15 (later 17) jewels minimum
- Adjusted to six positions (meaning it keeps time in any orientation)
- Pendant wind, lever set (so that it can't be accidentally changed)
Later on they would add arabic numerals as a requirement. And again, criteria varied depending on which railroad and when. I believe the requirements got longer and stricter as time went on.
This one isn't working. Another one that's going to be near the top of my list to get going some day when I have the disposable income for it.
Acquired: 2019
Circa: 1887
Current condition: not running