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: | 195 Stunning ELGIN Stag R/Gold Full Hunter Gents Pocket Watch. SERVICED. Antique £ 195.00 |
 | 1924 Elgin Grade 315 RailRoad Pocket Watch Silverode Case, for Restoration #L421 £ 49.99 |
 | DUEBER SPECIAL 14K GOLD FILLED 25 YEARS GENTS ELGIN FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH £ 140.00 |
 | Antique Elgin gents pocket watch in keystone Silveroid case c. 1918 294 WORKING £ 55.00 |
 | 1907 Elgin Open Face Pocket Watch Grade 314 Size 12s Spares Repair Parts Rare £ 30.00 |
 | Very Clean Elgin Model 5 Brass Nickel Cased 18s Pocket Watch -Running- £ 74.99 |
 | Elgin Railway Pocket Watch £ 99.00 |
 | Vintage/Ant. Rare Elgin 1900’s Silver 15 Jewels USA Men’s Pocket Watch-Not Works £ 115.00 |
 | Vintage Elgin Grade 303 Model 3 12S 7J Pocket Watch Movement (Runs) £ 24.95 |
 | Antique Brass watch elgin pocket Collectible Brass Pocket Watch Occasion GIFT £ 15.00 |
 | Art Deco RG Elgin Diplomat Pocket Watch With Chain Size 12 Grade 315 1926 £ 75.00 |
 | Vintage 1928s ELGIN Grade 303 7j 12s Mens Pocket Watch _505 £ 50.00 |
 | 29 Waltham & Elgin Pocket Watch Balance staffs, "Popular series 7" NOS, £ 45.00 |
 | Elgin Full Hunter Top Wind Rolled Gold Pocket Watch GWO £ 175.00 |
 | ANTIQUE SILVER ELGIN GENTS POCKET WATCH 1916 15JEWELS 116.8G 18s £ 119.99 |
 | ⭐R/R GRADE, GOLD FILLED, S/CASED ELGIN, GR:472, 16s, 21Js OPEN FACED P/WATCH,FWO £ 230.00 |
 | Elgin Natl Pocket Watch Movement Mechanical Men’s UNTESTED USA Repair Spares £ 14.99 |
 | 1919 Elgin Base Metal Open Model 6 Pocket Watch Not Running £ 100.00 |
 | Victoria Pocket Watch £ 18.00 |
 | Elgin Hunter Pocket Watch Keystone / Cyclone Case Non Working Approx 50mm £ 70.63 |
 | Elgin of Illinios Mens Pocket Watch 14K rolled gold working £ 150.00 |
 | GOLD PLATED ELGIN 15 JEWELS OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH C. 1917 DOUBLE ROLLER WORKING £ 100.00 |
 | Elgin Pocketwatch £ 109.20 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN NATL WATCH Co CHUNKY LEADER COIN SILVER CASED POCKET WATCH w CHAIN £ 79.99 |
 | 1920s silver Elgin pocket watch £ 85.00 |
 | Elgin Balance Staff Watch/Pocket Watch Various Calibres NOS, See Menu £ 7.50 |
 | WALTHAM OCTAGON 8 SIDED 15 JEWELS POCKET WATCH ELGIN TIVOLI CASE WORKING £ 130.00 |
 | SUPERB ELGIN USA ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED POCKET WATCH WORKING £ 110.00 |
 | Elgin Grade 311 pocket watch movement 12 size c. 1915. Parts repair £ 15.00 |
 | U.S.A., Elgin National Watch Co. certificate for two shares, cancelled 123033 £ 5.00 |
 | Antique 1917 Elgin Pocket Watch - Serial Number 19842517 - Non-Running £ 80.00 |
 | Elgin 15 Jewel Model 7 Classic Antique 16s Deco Watch £ 99.99 |
 | Elgin 60mm Full Hunter Coin Silver Pocket Watch Size 18s. 7 jewel. C1870. £ 105.00 |
 | Elgin Grade 542 10S 17 Jewels Open Face Pocket Watch Movement - PARTS / REPAIR £ 24.99 |
 | 2A548 Elgin half hunter, metal plaque pocket watch £ 369.00 |
 | Antique Solid Silver Pocket Watch 1925 ELGIN 7 Jewel 2oz needs repair works £ 130.00 |
 | Super 16 size Elgin 21j B W Raymond railroad watch. Keeps good time. £ 360.00 |
 | Elgin Military Pocket Watch WWII Era circa 1943 in working order £ 175.00 |
 | Pocket Watch Elgin USA 1921 10ct Gold Filled 7 Jewel Antique Half Hunter Fwo £ 425.00 |
 | Vintage Elgin Natl USA 23986237 Pocket Watch Movement Parts/Repair 43mm £ 25.63 |
