Elgin Jewelry

All Elgin watches are at least vintage, if not antiques. In the 1960s, the Elgin National Watch Company discontinued its watch production, and by the 1980s, the Elgin brand was phased out completely by the company it had previously merged with. Since any timepiece between 20 and 99 years old is vintage, many Elgin watches fall under that category. Any Elgin watch that is 100 years old or older is antique. You can identify an antique Elgin watch using the serial number, which you'll find inside the movement. By cross-referencing the serial number found on your timepiece to information published on trusted online resources, you can identify its year of production. If your watch doesn't have a serial number, it was likely produced in the 18th century, making it an antique. If you'd like assistance with dating your watch, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a variety of Elgin watches on 1stDibs.

To tell what year your Elgin pocket watch is, locate the movement number. You will need to open your watch and look on the inner watch works to find this number. Once you have it, you can cross-reference the number with information published on trusted online resources to date your watch. If you have difficulty determining the movement number of a watch, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. Shop a range of Elgin pocket watches on 1stDibs.

To know if an old watch is real gold, look on the back of the case for hallmarks. Most watchmakers stamp their genuine gold timepieces with markings, such as 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 583, 750 and 916. If you don't find a hallmark, consider having a certified appraiser or knowledgeable jeweler inspect your watch for you. Find a variety of gold watches on 1stDibs.

To find out how old your Elgin watch is, look on its back. Nearly all Elgin watches will have a serial number on their cases. Looking up this number in databases found on trusted online resources will help you determine approximately when your watch was made. If you need further assistance, consider consulting a certified appraiser or experienced dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Elgin watches.

The answer to who makes Elgin pocket watches is a little complicated. In 1968, the Elgin National Watch Company closed and stopped producing its watches. However, the owners opted to license the Elgin name to other companies, allowing them to make their own watches that bear the brand’s name. The license changed hands a few times and, as of 2024, was the property of MZ Berger Inc. This company manufactures and sells Elgin pocket watches and wristwatches in China. These timepieces feature Japanese-made movements and bear little resemblance to the original pocket watches produced by Elgin. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Elgin watches.

The difference between Elgin and Lord Elgin is that one is the name of a watchmaker, and the other is the name of a line of watches. Elgin is the shortened name for the Elgin National Watch Company, founded in 1863 in Elgin, Illinois. One of the manufacturer's most well-known pocket watches was the Lord Elgin, which debuted during the first decade of the 20th century. A wristwatch version of the timepiece hit the market in the 1930s. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of Elgin watches.

Elgin American was an American brand known for producing watches, jewelry and compacts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Illinois Watchcase Company owned it. In 1901, the company abandoned the Elgin name due to trademark infringement claims made by the Elgin National Watch Co. Find a selection of Elgin American art, jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.

Yes, many experts feel that Elgin watches are good from a quality standpoint. During its century in business, the American watchmaker developed a stellar reputation for producing reliable timepieces out of fine materials. Today, many styles of Elgin watches, particularly the company's railroad watches, are popular among collectors. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Elgin watches.

Yes, Elgin watches are valuable. The American watchmaker’s timepieces are widely favored by collectors all over the world. Watch lovers won’t likely pay more than a few hundred dollars for a vintage model, while rare Elgin timepieces, especially Art Deco-era wristwatches sporting gold cases, will fetch much higher sums. Whether or not an antique Elgin watch is a good investment, however, will depend upon factors such as rarity, condition, materials and more.

The Elgin National Watch Company was founded in Elgin, Illinois, in 1864 and was at one time the largest manufacturer of watches in the United States. In 1867, Elgin introduced its first watch — a pocket watch.

In the late 1800s, the open-face pocket watch became a staple on the American railroad. It was a requirement for railway workers to wear a pocket watch, as the timepieces were responsible for keeping conductors on schedule. This was a boon to the watchmaking industry, with companies like Hamilton, Elgin and the Waltham Watch Company producing high-grade and workingman’s watches. So-called “railroad watches” were among the finest watches of the era, and Elgin railroad watches are coveted today by watch enthusiasts.

As vintage watches of all kinds are making a comeback — even watchmakers such as Patek Philippe, Breitling and Omega are reissuing mid-century models — Elgin watches are in high demand on the secondary market.

At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Buyers should keep in mind that the value of any investment is subject to fluctuation, and any investment decisions should be made according to the guidance of a financial advisor.

Find vintage and antique Elgin watches on 1stDibs.

To identify an Elgin wristwatch, examine the dial. Until 1960, all timepieces produced by the American watchmaker showed the "Elgin" name on the dial. After the 1960s, the dials typically displayed an "E" to signify the maker. You can also check the stamp on the back of the case. Most Elgin watches will have a four digit style number above a circular stamp that specifies the watch material. Below the circular stamp, you will usually find a series of numbers that relates to the case manufacturer. You can search for the style number using trusted online resources to identify the style name for many Elgin watches. A certified appraiser or experienced vintage watch dealer can also provide assistance with identifications. Shop a range of Elgin wristwatches on 1stDibs.

How much an Elgin watch is worth depends on its materials, age, style, condition and other factors. Selling prices for Elgin watches that no longer function may be less than $100, while highly sought-after models in exceptional condition may be worth upwards of $10,000. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can help you determine the potential value of your timepiece. Find a selection of Elgin watches on 1stDibs.

How you date an Elgin watch depends on its age. On watches produced before 1956, you should generally examine their movement serial number. The Elgin National Watch Company numbered its movements sequentially from its founding through 1955, so you can easily determine the age of a timepiece by cross-referencing the movement serial number with information provided by trusted online resources. For newer watches, a combination of dial markings and case model numbers can be used to determine the year of production. Again, you can consult trusted online resources for guidance. Another option is to have a knowledgeable watchmaker or antiques dealer examine your timepiece. Shop a variety of Elgin watches on 1stDibs.

Some Elgin watches can be worth as much as $5,000 because of their make, model and age. In most cases, though, Elgin watches sell in the $200-$500 range.

To spot a fake Elgin watch, cross-reference the markings found on the back with information published on trusted online resources. Most timepieces feature a four-digit style number, a circular stamp that denotes the watch material and a series of numbers that identify the case manufacturer. By researching these numbers, you can usually determine the model of a timepiece. If your watch isn't a match for that model, it is unlikely to be authentic. A certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert can also assist when authenticating Elgin watches. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Elgin watches.

The easiest way to identify your Elgin pocket watch is to enter the serial number into an authoritative online database. To find the serial number, open the timepiece and look at the inner movement. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted Elgin pocket watches.

In Elgin watches, grade means what quality the timepieces are. Elgin assigned grades based on the type of movement and the type of finish on its watches. Higher grade watches tended to cost more than lower grade ones. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Elgin watches.

Whether or not Elgin watches are gold depends on the timepiece in question. The watchmaker designed a range of pocket watches and wristwatches made of 10-karat gold, 14-karat gold and 18-karat gold, while some of the company’s other accessories are gold-filled or gold-plated. (Gold-filled jewelry doesn’t have a lot of gold, but it has more gold than gold-plated jewelry.)

As vintage watches of all kinds are making a comeback — even watchmakers such as Patek Philippe, Breitling and Omega are reissuing mid-century models — Elgin watches are in high demand on the secondary market.

Find antique Elgin watches and other watches on 1stDibs.

No, Elgin watches aren't still made. The Elgin National Watch Company stopped producing watches in 1968. However, it did license its name rights to a number of other watchmakers. Although they have the same name, timepieces manufactured under Elgin licensing agreements have no other connection to the ones made by the Elgin National Watch Company. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Elgin watches.

Yes, many people consider an Elgin to be a high-end watch. The American watchmaker produced a line of luxury-grade timepieces, which it sold at aspirational price points. Interestingly, modern-day collectors tend to favor the company's mid- and entry-level watches. Its line of railroad pocket watches is especially popular. Explore a wide range of Elgin watches on 1stDibs.

To tell if an Elgin watch is real, look for its identification numbers. Authentic Elgin watches usually have a reference number printed on their movements and a case number on their cases. Using trusted online resources, you can learn what characteristics watches that feature these numbers should display, such as the hands and dial color, and then compare them to your watch. Any mismatches may indicate that your timepiece is a replica. Alternatively, you can ask a certified appraiser or knowledgeable Elgin dealer or repair technician to authenticate your watch. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Elgin watches.

No. The USA-based Elgin Watch Company sadly closed its doors in 1968. The rights to the Elgin name were purchased by MZ Berger Inc., which manufactures watches in China and distributes them outside of conventional watch shops. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Elgin watches from some of the world’s top sellers.

To tell when an Elgin pocket watch was made, turn it over and examine the case. On most timepieces, you'll find a four-digit stamp above the circular Elgin logo marking. Cross-referencing this number with information published on trusted online resources will often allow you to determine the approximate manufacturing date for a pocket watch. If you encounter any difficulty, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can help you with the dating process. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Elgin pocket watches.

It depends on the materials that the watches are made with, the significance of the model and the year of production. Railroad pocket watches can range from $200 to $5000.

No, Lord Elgin watches are no longer being made. The company responsible for Lord Elgin watches was the Elgin National Watch Company or Elgin Watch Company which was in business from 1864 to 1968. The company sold watches under several names, including Lord Elgin before going out of business. Find vintage Lord Elgin watches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.