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: | 18 Size Elgin 15jewel Pocket Watch $ 275.00 |
 | Antique 1908 Elgin 17J Pocket Watch $ 172.24 |
 | Vintage Elgin Nat'l Watch Co. 2708693 & Americam Watlahm Watch Co. 7317334 $ 29.00 |
 | VINTAGE pocket watch ELGIN NATL WATCH CO. U.S.A. $ 260.00 |
 | Elgin 1904 Pocket Watch 10777653 $ 60.00 |
 | Working Elgin Shockmaster POCKET WATCH Open Faced $ 99.99 |
 | ELGIN open face pocke watch, size 16, 7 jewels - gold filled case $ 125.00 |
 | 1919 Elgin Ladies Pocket Watch Double Hunter GF 21854205 Running No Glass $ 149.00 |
 | Elgin Jitterbug Military Pocket Watch 15 Jewels Grade 582 Model 21 Size 16s $ 64.99 |
 | ANTIQUE 1900 ELGIN POCKET WATCH, SIZE 18s, RUNS - Serviced $ 150.00 |
 | Vintage 1938 Elgin De Lux 10k Model 4 12s 17 Jewel Gold Pocket Watch Chain+Knife $ 485.00 |
 | 1925 Elgin Pocket Watch 16s 17j Model 7 Grade 387 $ 100.00 |
 | Antique U.S.A. made 1920 Gold Filled Elgin pocket watch running strong jeweled $ 88.88 |
 | Elgin 12 Sized Antique Pocket Watch 15 J, 10K Elgin Rolled Gold Plate Case Runs $ 49.00 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN 0 SIZE LADIES SILVER NUN PENDENT LAPEL POCKET WATCH $ 45.00 |
 | Antique Elgin Pocket Watch Runs Serviced Gold Filled 14S 15J Model 5 1944 $ 149.99 |
 | 1873 Elgin "GM Wheeler" 18s & 11j KW/KS Coin Silver PocketWatch-Runs Great $ 264.95 |
 | 1906 ELGIN POCKET WATCH 12129873 GRADE 312 16s 15j OVERWOUND (CH) $ 54.95 |
 | Antique Engraved Brass Elgin Pocket watch W/ Chain Vintage Gift for everyone $ 13.35 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch 18S 11J Serviced 1887 Antique $ 119.99 |
 | Antique Elgin Grade 379 Model 5 Pocket Watch w Silverode Case 18s 17j Parts $ 59.99 |
 | Antique 16S Elgin Mechanical Pocket Watch Movement Grade 387 USA Engraved Dial $ 30.00 |
 | ELGIN POCKET WATCH PENDANT HUNTER CASE Miniature Wind Up Snap Closure $ 59.49 |
 | Watch elgin vintage pocket Collectible Antique Brass Pocket Watch W/ Box GIFT $ 25.98 |
 | 1903,Elgin Size 18,BW Raymond,R.R Grade Pocket Watch.FREE 4 DAY SHIPPING. $ 285.00 |
 | Vintage 1903 Elgin LADIES,WRISTWATCH/Pocket Watch Size 0s7 Jewels $ 85.00 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch $ 20.00 |
 | 1922 Masonic Elgin Pocket Watch Model 3 Grade 303 Freemason Knights Templar $ 975.00 |
 | Lot of 3 Watch elgin vintage pocket Collectible Antique Brass Pocket Watch GIFT $ 34.58 |
 | c 1921 Elgin Model 2 Grade 301 Class 113 7 Jewel 12s Pocket Watch B&B Royal Case $ 169.99 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch & Watch Hairsprings (Multiple Sizes & Strengths) $ 20.00 |
 | Nice 16 size Elgin 15j Half Hunter pocket watch. Serviced! $ 240.00 |
 | ANTIQUE ELGIN 18S PW LS OPEN FACE TRAIN POCKET WATCH WORKS IN GOOD CONDITION $ 84.95 |
 | 5 X Elgin 16s Pocket Watch Black Velvet Pouch. $ 15.00 |
 | Elgin 16s pocket watch, (Private label), Serviced. $ 70.00 |
 | ELGIN 15 Jewel Gold FILLED Pocket Watch running WITH FOB. SUPREME CASE XMAS DEAL $ 100.00 |
 | 1900S--15-JEWELS--10-SIZE-ELGIN-POCKETWATCH $ 19.99 |
 | CENTERPIECE OF YOUR COLLECTION!! 18S Elgin 17 Jewel Full-Hunter (see photos) $ 590.00 |
 | Elgin Pocket Watch Serial Number 7303906 Antique Not Tested $ 99.99 |
 | Antique Elgin Pocket Watch 16S 7J Runs Gold Filled $ 129.99 |
