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: | Nice 16 size Elgin 15j Half Hunter pocket watch. Serviced! £ 240.00 |
 | 👀⭐DELICIOUS, GOLD PLATED ELGIN, GR:152, 16s, 15Js FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH,FWO⭐ £ 150.00 |
 | Vintage Elgin Pocket Watch Good Balance Spares Or Repair £ 30.00 |
 | Masonic Antique Pocket Watch & Chain by Elgin Gold Filled & Plated Chain/Fob £ 368.80 |
 | ELGIN Pocket Watch Movement - Grade 292 MODEL 6 - Restoration / Repair £ 24.99 |
 | 1920s silver Elgin pocket watch £ 85.00 |
 | Very Solid Antique Elgin Model 5 Brass Nickel Cased 18s Pocket Watch -Running- £ 54.99 |
 | elgin pocket watch £ 120.00 |
 | Elgin Balance Staff Watch/Pocket Watch Various Calibres NOS, See Menu £ 7.50 |
 | DUEBER SPECIAL 14K GOLD FILLED 25 YEARS GENTS ELGIN FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH £ 140.00 |
 | Vintage WWII Military Elgin USA Bomb Timer Stopwatch Stop Watch £ 65.00 |
 | Waltham USA Pocket Watch in Elgin Gold Plated Case, Working £ 165.00 |
 | Antique 1904 Gold Plated ELGIN Half Hunter Pocket Watch Adjusts Runs Wont Wind £ 175.00 |
 | ELGIN GOLD PLATED CASED 17 JEWELS 4 ADJUSTMENTS SWISS POCKET WATCH £ 75.00 |
 | 1907 Elgin Open Face Pocket Watch Grade 314 Size 12s Spares Repair Parts Rare £ 30.00 |
 | Victoria Pocket Watch £ 15.00 |
 | Watch elgin vintage pocket Collectible Antique 1- Brass Pocket Watch For GIFT £ 13.50 |
 | 1903 ELGIN USA GRADE 232 ANTIQUE MECHANICAL POCKET WATCH ART DECO VINTAGE £ 60.00 |
 | Vintage/Ant. Rare Elgin 1900’s Silver 15-Jewels USA Men’s Pocket Watch-Not Works £ 94.50 |
 | 1922 Masonic Elgin Pocket Watch Model 3 Grade 303 Freemason Knights Templar £ 975.00 |
 | 1924 Elgin Grade 472 B.W. Raymond Railroad pocket watch Derby Sturdy Montreal £ 550.00 |
 | GOLD PLATED ELGIN 15 JEWELS OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH C. 1917 DOUBLE ROLLER WORKING £ 100.00 |
 | Heavy Antique Elgin Sterling Silver Grade 215 Model 5 18s 7 Jewel Pocket Watch £ 100.00 |
 | 29 Waltham & Elgin Pocket Watch Balance staffs, "Popular series 7" NOS, £ 45.00 |
 | ELGIN Watch Gold Filled 48mm Pocket Watch £ 250.00 |
 | Very Rare British spec. Elgin 22jewel Deck Watch. Perfect! £ 1,299.00 |
 | Sterling Silver cased 17 jewel Elgin pocket watch. Super running condition. £ 225.00 |
 | Elgin Pocketwatch £ 109.20 |
 | 144 Ronda Pocket Watch Balance staffs for Elgin (x 60), Hamilton (24), etc. £ 55.00 |
 | Antique Brass Elgin Pocket watch W/ Chain Vintage Gift for occasion £ 11.28 |
 | ELGIN Pocket Watch Movement - Grade 315 MODEL 3 - WORKING £ 39.99 |
 | SUPERB ELGIN USA ANTIQUE GOLD PLATED 20 YEARS PLATING POCKET WATCH £ 110.00 |
 | WALTHAM OCTAGON 8 SIDED 15 JEWELS POCKET WATCH ELGIN TIVOLI CASE WORKING £ 130.00 |
 | Vintage Elgin Grade 303 Model 3 12S 7J Pocket Watch Movement (Runs) £ 24.95 |
 | 1910 Elgin Grade: 314, 12S Pocket Watch Movement / Dial for Restoration #L748 £ 19.99 |
 | Elgin Full Hunter Top Wind Rolled Gold Pocket Watch GWO £ 175.00 |
 | 1920 ELGIN USA ANTIQUE MECHANICAL POCKET WATCH ART DECO 315 GRADE VINTAGE £ 70.00 |
