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Former Chicago mayor Benjamin Raymond helped choose the small Illinois town of Elgin as the site for a new watch company. Investors raised $500,000 in the early 1860s as the Civil War raged and construction began on a huge brick factory with Raymond as president. The first watch was finished in early 1865, named in his honor and retailing for $115, and the grade continued, even eighty years later. This gorgeous 21-jewel Model 15 is an all-original example - even the case is stamped for Elgin - and was just thoroughly restored with a new alloy mainspring for the next owner. Everything under the dial is present and correct, all of the factory jewels are in gold settings, and this was a railroad-accepted model, adjusted to multiple positions and temperature. The heavy Arabic dial is flawless behind blued spade hands and the Star case is in excellent shape with a pinstripe Butler finish, a tight bow, a sharp crown, and a new glass crystal. Matching lanyard and display stand included.