Elgin · 21 jewels · 16s · 1947–1955
Elgin's very first watch was a B.W. Raymond. The 18-size, full-plate movement left the new factory in 1867, named for the former Chicago mayor who helped bankroll the company, and Elgin was still putting the name on railroad watches almost ninety years later. This page covers the last of that line, the 16-size grade 571. Pocket Watch Database lists about 565,000 made between 1947 and 1955, with 21 jewels, lever setting and adjustment to six positions, one more than railroad rules usually asked for. That big run is why it's the B.W. Raymond you'll see most often for sale. Its serial numbers start with a letter, because Elgin swapped the millions digits for a letter prefix in the 1930s, so a 571 reads something like V525001 or F169000. Look up the letter in an Elgin serial chart and you've got the year.
The grade
Elgin put the B.W. Raymond name on a lot of grades in 18 and 16 size, from 17 to 21 jewels, so the grade matters more than the name. This page covers the 571, the post-war 16-size 21-jewel grade on Elgin's Model 20. Earlier 16-size 21-jewel railroad Elgins, like the grade 478 built on the Model 15 from 1923 to 1944, look similar in listings. Elgin's serial charts tie every serial to a grade, so the movement serial settles which one you've got.
Most of these did years of daily work, so plan on a service if the seller can't show one. Movements were often moved into different cases over the years, and replaced or refinished dials are common.
Buying guide
The one we'd buy is the grade 571 titled running in a 10K gold-filled Keystone case, at $361 delivered, just under the band. There are about 35 for sale, two of them for parts, and most ask $370–675 delivered, with four from one Australian dealer carrying $69.80 shipping. Read the serial off the movement, since a 571's letter prefix dates it to 1947–55 and a year in the title is only the seller's claim, and plan on a cleaning before daily wear unless a service is shown. Check the seller's feedback on the item page, since eBay's pocket watch search doesn't show it.
$15.50est. delivered
A 1955 grade 571 in 10K gold filled, fully described, with bidding at $15.50 delivered and a long way to climb. It isn't titled running, so we'd stop near $370, the bottom of the band, and budget for a service.
1955 Elgin B.W. Raymond 10k Gold Filled Pocket Watch Grade 571 Model 20 16s 21j
$360.93est. delivered
Titled 571, 21 jewels, 10K gold filled and running, at $361 delivered, just under the band. Ask for a movement photo to read the letter-prefixed serial before you offer.
Elgin B.W. Raymond 571 Railroad Pocket Watch – 21j Keystone 10k GF - Running
$455.92est. delivered
Titled running in a 14K gold-filled case at $456 delivered, right in the middle of the band. The title doesn't name the grade, so check that the movement reads 21 Jewels and the serial starts with a letter.
Vintage Elgin B.W. Raymond Railroad Pocket Watch – 21J, 14K Gold Filled Running
$499.99delivered
A Montgomery dial, with every minute numbered, in a stainless steel case that won't wear through to brass, at $500 delivered. Zoom in on the dial for hairlines around the seconds bit.
Elgin 16s 21j BW Raymond Stainless Steel Railroad Pocket Watch, Montgomery Dial
$207.50est. delivered
Listed for parts or repair at $208 delivered, about $160 under the band. Fine as a donor or a project, since a running 571 costs about twice as much.
Vintage Elgin 571 10K Gold Filled Pocket Watch Parts Or Repair
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$15.50est. delivered
$10.50 + $5.00 shipping
Auction · 2 bids
Good buy
1955 grade 571 in 10K gold filled. Not titled running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$360.93est. delivered
$355.00 + $5.93 shipping
Buy It Now$355.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Grade 571 in a 10K gold-filled Keystone case, titled running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$455.92est. delivered
$449.99 + $5.93 shipping
Buy It Now$449.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled running, 14K gold filled. No grade number in the title.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$499.99delivered
$499.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$499.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Montgomery dial in a stainless steel case.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
For parts$207.50est. delivered
$180.00 + $27.50 shipping
Buy It Now$180.00
Project piece
Listed for parts or repair. 10K gold-filled case.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$461.69est. delivered
$449.99 + $11.70 shipping
Buy It Now$449.99
Our take
Titled 1954, 9 adjustments, 10K gold filled. Not titled running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$663.36est. delivered
$593.56 + $69.80 shipping
Buy It Now$593.56
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Check the seller
Titled 1925, but the 571 was made 1947–55. $69.80 shipping from Australia.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,991.00est. delivered
$1,975.00 + $16.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,975.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled with an original Ferguson dial, but about $1,300 over the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
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