
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Elgin 14 Karat White Gold Pocket Watch, c. 1922
- Maker / attribution
- Elgin (maker)
- Date
- c. 1922
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 3405
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3405)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Elgin 14 Karat White Gold Pocket Watch (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3405), this is a pocket watch by Elgin, made in United States, dated c. 1922. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
Step back in time with the exquisite Elgin 14 Karat White Gold Pocket Watch, a luxurious timepiece from circa 1922 that embodies both historical significance and timeless elegance. This vintage masterpiece, meticulously crafted with a solid gold octagonal case, measures 40mm in diameter and showcases a pristine white dial adorned with black Arabic hour markers. The blue steel hands and a 60-second sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position further enhance its sophisticated allure. The half-hunter style and mechanical movement of this watch reveal its intricate inner workings when opened, highlighting the engraved details on the front. A round cabochon synthetic spinel on the crown adds a subtle touch of color, elevating its visual appeal. Weighing 53.7 grammes and measuring 52mm in diameter and 56mm in length, including the top pendant, this Elgin pocket watch is a substantial yet compact treasure for any watch enthusiast. The movement, stamped with the number 25787067 Elgin Natl Watch Co U.S.A. 15 Jewels, and the inner case bearing the stamp National WC Co. 14K 776905, attest to its authenticity and craftsmanship. Originating from the United States and dating back to the 1920s, this timepiece is in fair condition and remains a stunning addition to any discerning watch collection. This vintage Elgin pocket watch in 14 karat white gold is a superb timepiece that is rich in history and luxury. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, this solid gold watch features a stunning octagonal case that measures 40mm in diameter, with a white dial and black Arabic hour markers. The blue steel hands and the 60-second sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position add to its elegance and beauty. The half-hunter style and mechanical movement of this watch make it a compact yet substantial piece. When opened, it reveals the intricate details of the timepiece that are engraved on the front. The round cabochon synthetic spinel on the crown adds a touch of color to the watch, making it even more appealing. Weighing 53.7 grammes and measuring 52mm in diameter and 56mm in length (including top pendant), this vintage piece is a must-have for any watch connoisseur. The movement is stamped with the number 25787067 Elgin Natl Watch Co U.S.A. 15 Jewels, while the inner case bears the stamp National WC Co. 14K 776905. This pocket watch is truly a stunning addition to any watch collection. Creator: Elgin Case Material: Gold,14k Gold,White Gold Weight: 53.7 g Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Diameter: 52 mm (2.05 in)Length: 56 mm (2.21 in) Place of Origin: United States Period: 1920-1929 Date of Manufacture: 1922 Condition: Fair
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
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