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: | ELGIN FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH 7 JEWELS.GOLD PLATED. £ 65.16 |
 | vintage pocket watch elgin 19838012 screw case £ 18.00 |
 | Elgin - Rolled Gold - Pocket Watch - Antique - 1899? - Vintage - Rare £ 137.00 |
 | Elgin Masonic dress pocket watch £ 695.00 |
 | ELGIN Watch Gold Filled 48mm Pocket Watch £ 150.00 |
 | Elgin 14K Gold Plated Pocket Watch Super Working £ 250.83 |
 | Antique Engraved Brass Elgin Pocket watch W/ Chain Vintage Gift for occasion £ 9.04 |
 | 1943 Very Nice ELGIN (military) Gents Black Dial Pocket Watch. SERVICED. Antique £ 85.00 |
 | ANTIQUE GOLD PLATED ELGIN FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH, RESTORE OR GOLD RECOVERY £ 46.00 |
 | 1903 ELGIN USA GRADE 232 ANTIQUE MECHANICAL POCKET WATCH ART DECO VINTAGE £ 60.00 |
 | ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH CO USA POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT FOR SPARES £ 50.00 |
 | Heavy Antique Elgin Sterling Silver fat Pocket Watch - working £ 65.00 |
 | Elgin Gold Plated Full Hunter Pocket Watch Presented to a Druid in 1919. £ 175.00 |
 | ELGIN Pocket Watch Movement - Grade 293 MODEL 7 - Restoration / Repair £ 24.99 |
 | Vintage WWII Military Elgin USA Bomb Timer Stopwatch Stop Watch £ 65.00 |
 | elgin pocket watch £ 120.00 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN POCKET WATCH MOVEMENTS ONLY 42 MM. / N019 £ 29.00 |
 | Early Elgin Watch box £ 30.00 |
 | Roaring 20's 14k Gold Elgin 15 Jewel Hi-Grade Hunter Pocket Watch 1928 £ 275.00 |
 | 1920 ELGIN USA ANTIQUE MECHANICAL POCKET WATCH ART DECO 315 GRADE VINTAGE £ 65.00 |
 | DUEBER SPECIAL 14K GOLD FILLED 25 YEARS GENTS ELGIN FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH £ 140.00 |
 | Elgin Balance Staff Watch/Pocket Watch Various Calibres NOS, See Menu £ 7.50 |
 | Vintage/Ant. Rare Elgin 1900’s Silver 15-Jewels USA Men’s Pocket Watch-Not Works £ 94.50 |
 | ELGIN GOLD PLATED CASED 17 JEWELS 4 ADJUSTMENTS SWISS POCKET WATCH £ 75.00 |
 | ELGIN Pocket Watch Movement - Grade 315 MODEL 3 - WORKING £ 39.99 |
 | vintage pocket watch movement elgin 40732392 £ 18.00 |
 | ANTIQUE SILVER ELGIN GENTS POCKET WATCH 1916 15JEWELS 116.8G 18s £ 119.99 |
 | Elgin Gold Filled Half Hunter Pocket Watch. 52mm. Hand Wind.. GWC. £ 120.00 |
 | Lot of 3 Watch elgin vintage pocket Collectible Antique Brass Pocket Watch GIFT £ 28.34 |
 | Elgin Railway Pocket Watch - Running well £ 105.00 |
 | 39.7mm 12S Good Balance Elgin Grade 345 Open Face Art Deco Pocket Watch Movement £ 64.99 |
 | Antique Elgin Gr.294 Keystone Silveroid Case Pocket Watch Oversize 59mm 1921 £ 75.00 |
 | Elgin Pocketwatch £ 109.20 |
 | Elgin Grade 311 pocket watch movement 12 size c. 1915. Parts repair £ 15.00 |
 | GOLD PLATED ELGIN 15 JEWELS OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH C. 1917 DOUBLE ROLLER WORKING £ 100.00 |
 | 1922 Masonic Elgin Pocket Watch Model 3 Grade 303 Freemason Knights Templar £ 975.00 |
 | Vintage Elgin Military Black Pocket Watch Dial, 42mm Diameter #L743 £ 14.99 |
 | Elgin Full Hunter Top Wind Rolled Gold Pocket Watch GWO £ 175.00 |
 | record gold plated illinois elgin case pocket watch £ 109.00 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN BW RAYMOND GOLD PLATED POCKET WATCH - JACKSON MINE c1911 - WORKING £ 199.99 |
