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Elgin

Elgin Grade 70

Grade 70 is a 15/17 Jewels Hunting watch manufactured by Elgin. The size 18s, Model 2 movement features a Gilt finish and is adjusted to 2 positions. During the time the watch was manufactured, it would have qualified for railroad service and is considered to be railroad grade. Elgin manufactured a total of 74,500 Grade 70 movements in 53 distinctive runs.

Grade 70 Movement Characteristics

Size18s
Jewels15/17 Jewels
ConfigurationHunting
FinishGilt
Model2
SettingLever
AdjustedYes
Railroad GradeYes
Profile Code18s-M2-15j/17j-HGL

Grade 70 Production Info

Total Production74,500
Number of Runs53
Production Years1873-1896
First Serial246,501
Last Serial6,148,000
Largest Run5,000
Smallest Run12

Research Notes

The Grade 70 is the Stem-Wind Version of the Grade 69.

15 Jewels: 3rd, 4th, Escape, Pallet (Pairs)
17 Jewels: 3rd, 4th, Escape, Pallet, Center (Pairs)

The 1885 Otto Young catalog describes the "B.W. Raymond" and Grade 70/69 as "Expansion Balance, Adjusted, Double Sunk Dial, 15 Jewels (4 pairs in settings), Patent Regulator. Key Wind: $42.50, Stem Wind: $55.00.

F.M Sproehnle & Co. published an advertisement in the November 7, 1894 issue of The Jewelers' Circular closing out the Elgin H.H. Taylor movements. The following B.W Raymond movements were also offered as alternative options.

New 17=Jewel Elgin
18-Size Movement.
B.W. Raymond.
Compensation Balance, Breguet Hairspring, adjusted, D.S. Dial, 17 Jewels (4 pairs settings), Patent Regulator, Hunting or Open Face.
Gilded Movement, $28.00
Nickel Movement, $32.00
No. 70, Gilt, Hunting, $28.00
No. 77, Gilt, Open Face, $28.00
No. 27, Nickel, Hunting, $32.00
No. 116, Nickel, Open Face, $32.00

Associated Grades

69