Items Similar to Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Open Face American Pocket Watch circa 1912 Enamel Dial

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940s

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial from 1897

Elgin Antique Open Face Gold Filled Pocket Watch Gr 27 15 Jewel

Omega Steel Open Faced Enamel Dial Pocket Watch from 1920's

Waltham Open Faced Gold Filled Pocket Watch Flawless Kiln Fired Enamel Dial 1892

Elgin Gold Filled & Enamel Inlayed Art Deco Watch circa 1920's

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 8

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Open Face American Pocket Watch circa 1912 Enamel Dial

Name: Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Open Face American Pocket Watch circa 1912 Enamel Dial
Brand: Elgin
Price: 850 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Face METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow G.F. CIRCA / YEAR: 1812 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 57mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original White Enamel Dial / Blued Steel Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic American pocket watch has a flawless original kiln fired enamel dial. The yellow gold filled case is entirely hand engraved. This watch is supplied with a pocket watch chain so can wear it immediately when it arrives. It keeps excellent time and it comes with our 18 month warranty and lifetime service commitment as well. The Elgin National Watch Company was founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, as the National Watch Company in Chicago, Illinois. In September of the same year, the founders visited the Waltham Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts to “poach” some of their employees. They successfully convinced seven of Waltham's watchmakers to come to work for their new company. The growing young city of Elgin, Illinois, some 30 miles northwest of Chicago, was chosen as the factory site. The Elgin Watch Company quickly became one of the leading watchmakers in the United States. In 1870, the company produced its first million watches. By 1890, Elgin was producing over two million watches per year, more than any other watch factory in the world. The company's success was due in part to its innovative manufacturing techniques and its commitment to quality. Elgin recognized that the idea of interchangeable parts was the future of all production methods. Their watches were known for their accuracy and durability. The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches. In 1910, Elgin introduced the first wristwatch that met the criteria for the railroads, even though it was not approved for use for 50 years. It was still an achievement. The company continued to produce high-quality pocket and wristwatches throughout the 20th century, and its watches were worn by celebrities, politicians, and other notable figures. As with other American companies in technology for the times they benefitted from military contracts for watches for W.W. 1 and W.W. 2 as well. They built instruments for cars, planes, ships and trains as well. Elgin invented the “unbreakable” mainspring and many other technological breakthroughs. The Swiss paid licensing fees to Elgin for many of their inventions in watchmaking. Patek Philippe even used Elgin’s technology in their Balance Wheels in the 1950’s. When I started learning watchmaking in the late 1960’s I was about 13 years old. The man who was my teacher was named Norman Jarrett and he was 85 years old when I started. He had been a Forman in the Elgin factory in the 1920’s. I learned watchmaking the old-fashioned way. He taught, “Never fit the watch to the part” he always said, “only fit the part to the watch, or don’t start the project.” He pointed out, “In the future someone better than you may have the skill to do it right, but you ruined the watch already because you did not have the skill.” Like most of the things he “taught me” it was a rule for living life as well. Watchmaking was a serious craft he said to me one day. Once he shared with me a story about one of the men, he worked with in a shop. The man was not able to accurately adjust the timing after many hours. The next day he committed suicide. I decided that if I could not fix the watch to just put it down for a while and look at it another day. By the time they closed shop Elgin had produced over 60 million watches and left a legacy of excellence and inventions as well.

Creator:

Elgin

Movement:

Place of Origin:

United States

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1912

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. It is important to recognize that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.

Seller Location:

Long Beach, CA

Reference Number:

Seller: 2460 VV1stDibs: LU422310415902

View Invoice