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 UK
On eBay USA: | Antique 1917 Elgin Grade 345 Pocket Watch GF Case Running Ticks 12s 17j USA $ 99.95 |
 | Elgin 1904 Pocket Watch 10777653 $ 60.00 |
 | 18 Size Elgin 15jewel Pocket Watch $ 275.00 |
 | ELGIN open face pocke watch, size 16, 7 jewels - gold filled case $ 125.00 |
 | Antique 1906 Elgin Grade 324 Pocket Watch Montauk Fahys GF Case Ticks 0s 7j USA $ 99.95 |
 | Antique 1883 Elgin, Size 16s, 13 Jewels, Pocket Watch - Sidewinder $ 199.00 |
 | Elgin 12 Sized Antique Pocket Watch 15 J, 10K Elgin Rolled Gold Plate Case Runs $ 49.00 |
 | Antique 1908 Elgin 17J Pocket Watch $ 172.24 |
 | Vintage Elgin Nat'l Watch Co. 2708693 & Americam Watlahm Watch Co. 7317334 $ 29.00 |
 | Working Elgin Shockmaster POCKET WATCH Open Faced $ 99.99 |
 | Elgin Jitterbug Military Pocket Watch 15 Jewels Grade 582 Model 21 Size 16s $ 64.99 |
 | VINTAGE pocket watch ELGIN NATL WATCH CO. U.S.A. $ 260.00 |
 | ANTIQUE 1900 ELGIN POCKET WATCH, SIZE 18s, RUNS - Serviced $ 150.00 |
 | 1925 Elgin Pocket Watch 16s 17j Model 7 Grade 387 $ 100.00 |
 | 1919 Elgin Ladies Pocket Watch Double Hunter GF 21854205 Running No Glass $ 149.00 |
 | 1903,Elgin Size 18,BW Raymond,R.R Grade Pocket Watch.FREE 4 DAY SHIPPING. $ 285.00 |
 | Antique U.S.A. made 1920 Gold Filled Elgin pocket watch running strong jeweled $ 88.88 |
 | 1906 ELGIN POCKET WATCH 12129873 GRADE 312 16s 15j OVERWOUND (CH) $ 54.95 |
 | Elgin 0 Size 7 Jewel Beautiful Condition $ 89.50 |
 | Antique 16S Elgin Mechanical Pocket Watch Movement Grade 387 USA Engraved Dial $ 30.00 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch 18S 11J Serviced 1887 Antique $ 119.99 |
 | ELGIN POCKET WATCH PENDANT HUNTER CASE Miniature Wind Up Snap Closure $ 59.49 |
 | Antique Engraved Brass Elgin Pocket watch W/ Chain Vintage Gift for everyone $ 13.35 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN 0 SIZE LADIES SILVER NUN PENDENT LAPEL POCKET WATCH $ 45.00 |
 | 1873 Elgin "GM Wheeler" 18s & 11j KW/KS Coin Silver PocketWatch-Runs Great $ 264.95 |
 | Watch elgin vintage pocket Collectible Antique Brass Pocket Watch W/ Box GIFT $ 25.98 |
 | c 1921 Elgin Model 2 Grade 301 Class 113 7 Jewel 12s Pocket Watch B&B Royal Case $ 169.99 |
 | 1900S--15-JEWELS--10-SIZE-ELGIN-POCKETWATCH $ 19.99 |
 | Antique Elgin Pocket Watch Runs Serviced Gold Filled 14S 15J Model 5 1944 $ 149.99 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch $ 20.00 |
 | Handmade vintage elgin pocket Watch Collectible Antique Brass Pocket Watch GIFT $ 26.41 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch & Watch Hairsprings (Multiple Sizes & Strengths) $ 20.00 |
 | ELGIN 15 Jewel Gold FILLED Pocket Watch running WITH FOB. SUPREME CASE XMAS DEAL $ 100.00 |
 | Vintage Gold Filled Elgin Open Face Pocket Watch As Is Not Running $ 49.99 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN 18S PW LS OPEN FACE TRAIN POCKET WATCH WORKS IN GOOD CONDITION $ 84.95 |
 | Elgin 16s pocket watch, (Private label), Serviced. $ 70.00 |
 | Elgin 15 jewel 10k Gold Filled Open Face Working Pocket Watch $ 80.00 |
 | UNUSUAL 18s ELGIN CONVERTIBLE 7J GR.98 POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT~Total 18s Prod. 6K $ 65.00 |
 | Antique Elgin Grade 379 Model 5 Pocket Watch w Silverode Case 18s 17j Parts $ 59.99 |
 | 3 Gold Filled Pocket Watches $ 99.50 |
