Items Similar to Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral and Initials Engraving 1900s
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral and Initials Engraving 1900s
About the Item
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company
STYLE / REFERENCE: Pendant Style
METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled
CIRCA / YEAR: 1901
DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 35mm
MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / 0 Size
DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Kiln Fired Enamel Dial / Blue Steel Hands
WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement
LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT
This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will service it for you as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course.
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 Watch Company 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:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1901-1902
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting 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:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1918
1stDibs seller since 2016
885 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Long Beach, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral Engraving, circa 1907By ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 6 Size METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1907 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 41mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / ...Category
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin Gold Filled Hunters Case Pocket Watch from 1900 with Kiln Fired DialBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 6 Size / Hunters Case METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1900 DIMENSIONS /...Category
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches
- J.W. Benson Yellow Gold Filled Half Hunter Pocket Watch, circa 1900sBy J.W. BensonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Full Size Half Hunter Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Heavy Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1900...Category
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches
- Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Original Dial, circa 1940sBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 45mm MOVEMENT / ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch from 1923 with Matching ChainBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1923 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 44mm MOVEMENT / CALI...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Hand Engraved Pocket Watch from 1918By ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Open Face Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1918 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X Diamete...Category
Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Pocket Watches
You May Also Like
- Elgin 14k Gold Filled Pocket Watch Ref 27460By ElginLocated in Surfside, FLAntique Elgin "Hunter Case" 42mm diameter, 14K gold filled pocket watch with scalloped edges all around. 1895 dated engraving. Elaborate rose,...Category
20th Century Pocket Watches
Materials14k Gold, Gold-filled
- Elgin B.W. Raymond Pocket Watch 21 Jewels, Gold FilledBy ElginLocated in Laguna Beach, CAElgin B.W. Raymond open face pocket watch. 10k gold filled case. Size 16, 21 jewels with 8 adjustments. Model 20, grade 571, 3/4 plate, serial number N804928...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Pocket Watches
Materials10k Gold, Gold-filled
- Elgin Manual Gold Fill Pcket WatchBy ElginLocated in Surfside, FLGents Elgin in gold fill. Manual. Certified preowned. Fine Pre-owned Elgin Watch. Certified preowned Elgin watch. This Elgin watch has a Gold Arabic Numeral dial. It is Certified A...Category
20th Century Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin Double Roller Gold Fill Father Time Pocket Watch 4396587 CaseBy ElginLocated in Surfside, FLElgin Father Time Double Roller in heavy gold fill with triple sunk porcelain dial. Manual. 16 size/50 mm case size. 21 Jewels Adjusted 5 Positons. Case signed "Star WCC Warrantied 2...Category
Antique Early 1900s Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin Antique Open Face Gold Filled Pocket Watch Gr 27 15 JewelBy ElginLocated in Sherman Oaks, CABeautiful Antique Elgin Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Black Hands & Dedicated Second Dial Gold Filled Case w/ Intricate Etched Design...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Pocket Watches
- Elgin Full Hunter Gold Filled Pocket Watch 11 Jewels 1888 Gr: 102By ElginLocated in Sherman Oaks, CABeautiful Antique Elgin Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Cobalt Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial Gold Filled Case w/ Intricate Hand-Etched Pastoral Design on Front and Reverse,...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Pocket Watches
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Waltham Wristwatch
Waltham Gold Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Military
Story Of Patek Philippe
My Patek Philippe
Founder Of Patek Philippe
Future Patek Philippe
Elgin 1890 Pocket Watch
Old Elgin Pocket Watch
Patek Philippe Site
Site Patek Philippe
Antique Elgin Wristwatch
Waltham Pocket Watch Gold Filled
Waltham Railroad
Celebrity Patek Philippe
Antique Illinois Pocket Watch
Antique Railroad Pocket Watches
Mens Patek Pocket Watch