Elgin Pocket Watches, a short history
In America prior to the 1850s, watches were made by hand which meant that if the watch broke there was a need to make a spare part specifically for that watch, which was expensive and time consuming. Elgin realised that there was a large market for watches that were machine made with interchangeable parts
In America prior to the 1850s, watches were made by hand which meant that if the watch broke there was a need to make a spare part specifically for that watch, which was expensive and time consuming. Elgin realised that there was a large market for watches that were machine made with interchangeable parts.
Founded in 1864 (after luring some top Waltham staff) as the National Watch Company, it was renamed in 1874 to the Elgin National Watch Company as the company set its base in Elgin, Illinois. When it ceased making watches in the 1960s, Elgin had made some 60 million watches.
There are still many Elgin watches around today and, despite never being in the top quality band, there are many running examples to be found at reasonable prices. They are very popular with collectors.
eBay USA
On eBay UK: | Antique gold plated Gents full hunter Elgin Pocket Watch c1920 W/O Ref3933 £ 65.00 |
 | elgin full hunter pocket watch £ 175.00 |
 | Elgin Mens Vintage Full Hunter Rolled Gold 14K Pocket Watch Working Super Cond £ 175.00 |
 | vintage large elgin pocket watch 10393713 £ 44.00 |
 | 👀⭐MAJESTIC, GOLD PLATED ELGIN, GR:292, 16s, 7Js HALF HUNTER POCKET WATCH,FWO⭐👀 £ 105.00 |
 | Elgin Gold Plated Full Hunter Pocket Watch Presented to a Druid in 1919. £ 160.00 |
 | Nice 16s Elgin full hunter 7j grade 292. Working well. £ 225.00 |
 | Antique Brass pocket watch elgin Collectible Brass Pocket Watch Occasion GIFT £ 14.43 |
 | Antique Elgin Pocket Watch Movement & Dial - Spares Repairs £ 9.99 |
 | Elgin Railway Pocket Watch - Running well £ 105.00 |
 | ELGIN Mens Gold Plated Full Hunter Quartz Pocket Watch with Date-VGC/Working £ 69.99 |
 | DUEBER SPECIAL 14K GOLD FILLED 25 YEARS GENTS ELGIN FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH £ 140.00 |
 | Watch elgin vintage pocket Collectible Antique Brass Pocket Watch W/ Box GIFT £ 20.01 |
 | Antique Engraved Brass Elgin Pocket watch W/ Chain Vintage Gift for occasion £ 8.77 |
 | Elgin WW2 Military Black Luminous Dial Pocket Watch – No. 41294272 – Untested £ 75.00 |
 | Antique Solid Silver Gents Elgin Pocket Watch 1917 W/O Ref3910 £ 70.00 |
 | Victoria Pocket Watch £ 12.00 |
 | Elgin 17 Jewel Bridge Movement Railway Pocket Watch, Gold Filled Case, Quality £ 210.00 |
 | Beautiful Elgin Pocket Watch £ 250.00 |
 | ELGIN POCKET WATCH, 14 KARAT SOLID GOLD, c.1880, FULLY SERVICED £ 3,400.00 |
 | 1922 Elgin Grade: 290 Pocket Watch Movement/Dial/Hands for Restoration #L890 £ 14.99 |
 | ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH COMPANY GUILDED FULL HUNTER SPARES OR REPAIRS £ 59.62 |
 | Vintage metal gents Elgin Black Dial Pocket Watch c1940 Working ref3647 £ 70.00 |
 | Elgin Full Hunter Top Wind Rolled Gold Pocket Watch GWO £ 175.00 |
 | Elgin 60mm Full Hunter Coin Silver Pocket Watch Size 18s. 7 jewel. C1870. £ 90.00 |
 | Antique Elgin Heavy Rolled Gold Pocket Watch Working £ 119.99 |
 | Antique 1925 Elgin Grade 477 Model 3 Size 12s & 17j Pocket Watch - Rare & Runs £ 199.00 |
 | Early Elgin Watch box £ 15.00 |
 | elgin pocket watch £ 120.00 |
 | Elgin Balance Staff Watch/Pocket Watch Various Calibres NOS, See Menu £ 7.50 |
 | Vintage ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH COMPANY pocket watch Not In Working order £ 40.00 |
 | Elgin Masonic dress pocket watch £ 695.00 |
 | ELGIN WATCH - 15 JEWELS - WRISTWATCH - 428 GRADE MOVEMENT Made in USA circa 1925 £ 79.99 |
 | Update Size 12S Elgin Grade 344 Good Balance Pocket Watch Movement Dial Hands £ 24.99 |
 | Vintage Elgin Natl USA 7 Jewels Pocket Watch Movement Restore/Parts 43mm £ 11.99 |
 | 1909 Elgin Pocket Watch Hunter Movement Grade 320 Size 0s Spares Repair Parts £ 20.00 |
 | elgin pocket watch for repair or spares £ 45.00 |
 | 39.7mm 12S Good Balance Elgin Grade 345 Open Face Art Deco Pocket Watch Movement £ 29.99 |
 | Antique 12s 1925 Elgin Fancy Engraving 17 Jewel Pocket Watch Movement 479 USA £ 30.51 |
 | Elgin Grade 311 pocket watch movement 12 size c. 1915. Parts repair £ 15.00 |
