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.
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 |
 | Very Clean Elgin Model 5 Brass Nickel Cased 18s Pocket Watch -Running- £ 74.99 |
 | 1907 Elgin Open Face Pocket Watch Grade 314 Size 12s Spares Repair Parts Rare £ 30.00 |
 | Elgin Railway Pocket Watch £ 99.00 |
 | Antique Elgin gents pocket watch in keystone Silveroid case c. 1918 294 WORKING £ 55.00 |
 | Vintage/Ant. Rare Elgin 1900’s Silver 15 Jewels USA Men’s Pocket Watch-Not Works £ 115.00 |
 | 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 Elgin Grade 303 Model 3 12S 7J Pocket Watch Movement (Runs) £ 24.95 |
 | 29 Waltham & Elgin Pocket Watch Balance staffs, "Popular series 7" NOS, £ 45.00 |
 | Vintage 1928s ELGIN Grade 303 7j 12s Mens Pocket Watch _505 £ 50.00 |
 | 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 |
 | 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 |
 | Elgin Hunter Pocket Watch Keystone / Cyclone Case Non Working Approx 50mm £ 70.63 |
 | Victoria Pocket Watch £ 18.00 |
 | ⭐R/R GRADE, GOLD FILLED, S/CASED ELGIN, GR:472, 16s, 21Js OPEN FACED P/WATCH,FWO £ 230.00 |
On eBay USA: | Antique ELGIN Pocket Watch With Chain Unsure If It Works $ 95.00 |
 | Nautical Vintage American Elgin Look Collectible Antique 2" Brass Pocket Watch $ 13.99 |
 | Antique Engraved Brass Elgin Pocket watch W/ Chain Vintage Gift for everyone $ 15.00 |
 | 18S - 1896 Elgin hand winding pocket watch, grade 73, Railroad case $ 60.00 |
 | Mens Vortic Converted Steel Pocket Watch American Artisan Series Chicago (Elgin) $ 1,900.00 |
 | Vintage Elgin Pocket Grade 294 18S 1908 7J Model 5 GF - Not Running $ 39.99 |
 | Vintage Elgin Fancy Dial 12s 14K GF Model 3 Grade 477 Adjusted 3 POSITIONS Runs! $ 139.95 |
 | Vintage Nautical Brass Pocket Watch American Elgin Look Collectible Antique 2" $ 19.88 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch Balance for 16 sz. $ 29.99 |
 | Lord Elgin Pocket Watch 14S, 21J Adj to 4 pos Model 5 $ 119.99 |
 | Elgin Jitterbug Military Pocket Watch 15 Jewels Grade 582 Model 21 Size 16s $ 69.99 |
 | Elgin 0 Size Hunting Style Pocket Watch $ 85.00 |
 | Elgin Dictator Pocket Watch $ 69.99 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch 18 Size Movement Key wind/Key Set - DF383 $ 29.99 |
 | Antique Atlas Pocket Watch 1898 Elgin Grade 179 Pocket Watch With Oresilver Case $ 69.95 |
 | Vtg Elgin Pocket Watch Grade 345 Model 3 17j Not Ticking Victory Case Warranted $ 39.99 |
 | ELGIN POCKET WATCH, 16S, 7J, GRADE 291, VINTAGE 1920, SERVICED, GP CASE $ 89.95 |
 | Working Antique 1921 Elgin 291 Gold Filled Pocket Watch $ 100.00 |
 | Vintage Brass Pocket Watch Antique Berlin 1936 with Leather Box Gift Marine $ 14.98 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch 18S 7J Serviced 1908 Antique Mod. 5 $ 149.99 |
