Introduction of the Elgin Model 1901 (18-Size Model 8): No. 214 Veritas, No. 239 Veritas, and No. 240 B.W. Raymond

To introduce the new “Model 1901” (Model 8), the Elgin National Watch Company published an advertisement in the March 1901 issue of The Keystone. The introductory headline indicates the new grades are “Specially Constructed for Railway Watch Inspection,” described as open face, lever-set, featuring raised gold settings, and adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and positions.

The primary difference between the No. 214 Veritas, No. 239 Veritas, and the No. 240 B.W. Raymond is the jewel count. The No. 240 features standard train jeweling, including center, with the addition of two jewels on the arbor of the safety barrel. Instead of the jeweled barrel, the 21-Jewel count on the No. 239 is achieved with cap jewel pairs on the pallet fork and escape wheel. Of course, the No. 214 is fitted with both of these traits, yielding 23 jewels.

Another notable difference is the No. 214 Veritas features a double roller escapement while the No. 239 and No. 240 do not receive this upgrade until around 1905, when it started to become standardized as a requirement for railroad approval.