Founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, just as the American Civil War was coming to an end, the company released its first watch to the market in 1867, an 18 sized BW Raymond railroad grade pocket watch, which took six months to complete and sold for a whopping $117 (several years ago, it was purchased at auction by the

When did Elgin start making wrist watches?

1910 Elgin shipped their first wristwatch in 1910, and later manufactured the first wrist watch to be qualified for railroad service: the grade 730A B. W. Raymond. Throughout their history, the Elgin National Watch Company was known for horological innovations.

Are Elgin wrist watches valuable?

Are Elgin Watches Valuable? Even today, most of Elgin watches are in good working condition and can still be practical to use. You can purchase them from $50 to $300, while the rarer and more luxurious pieces may cost you more than $1,000.