Elgin B.W. Raymond restoration

Years ago I ran across this old B.W. Raymond wrist watch. It was in pretty awful shape but ran and I'd always wanted an Elgin durabalance mov't. (this one has the 780), so I got it and put it away with my parts and projects. The dial's paint was flaking from the iron, non-magnetic, base; the lugs were nearly shot (someone had put an expanding link bracelet on it for years and years); in short, it was a sad watch. Every once in awhile I would do an ebay search for a dial, and after many years an NOS dial appeared at a very reasonable price, so I jumped on it. The next step was addressing the case, originally I planned on just replacing the case, but finding another proved to be impractical, so I went to a jeweler I knew who has a laser welder. She said she could repair the lugs, so I left the case with her. After a number of months (she is rather busy) she called to tell me the case was done. I was thrilled with the results, she used 14k wire to fill the gouges, and even repaired one bad spot along the edge of the case where the RGP had been worn through. The only thing left was to service the watch, for this watch I sent it off to a watchmaker in Texas I know and this morning it arrived home.

How it looked when I first acquired it:
Versus now:

The nifty 780 durabalance:

Nothing is as satisfying as the completion of long project! 😁

That’s a great outcome!

Thanks, guys. I'm pleased as punch with the outcome.

Top result 👍.

Very interesting movement too, no pesky regulating arms to get in the way.
Was Elgin one of the first to use a free sprung balance?

Wow! Great outcome. Enjoy!

Thanks, Jim.
Yes, the Elgin was one of the first. Patek brought the Gyromax to market in 52, Elgin debuted the Durabalance in 58, and Rolex brought their free sprung balance out in 59.

Thanks Larry!

A nice watch read of a labor of love brought to a successful conclusion.

Thank you.