Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch, 1925 — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: WatchMuseum.org shop · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: WatchMuseum.org shop · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch, 1925

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Elgin (maker)
Date: 1925
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 2562
Credit line: Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2562)
Catalogue title (original): Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. 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 2562), this is a pocket watch by Elgin, made in United States, dated 1925. 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 Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch from 1925, a true testament to the craftsmanship and elegance of the early 20th century. This remarkable timepiece boasts a Grade 387, 16S, 17J mechanism, encased in a 10-carat gold plate with a sophisticated art-deco design. The open face reveals a stunning porcelain enamel ivory dial adorned with bold Arabic numerals and striking blue steel hands, encapsulating the essence of vintage charm. Measuring approximately 49mm in diameter and 14mm thick, this watch is not only a functional accessory but also a piece of history in very good condition, requiring only minimal maintenance to ensure its smooth operation. To preserve its longevity, it is recommended to wind the watch daily at the same time, taking care not to over-tighten the crown. With its rich heritage and timeless appeal, this Elgin pocket watch is a unique collector’s item that embodies the elegance and innovation of the 1920s, making it a prized addition to any collection. This Elgin pocket watch is believed to have been produced in 1925 and features a Grade 387, 16S, 17J mechanism. The case is made of 10 carat gold plate with a screw back and features a fancy art-deco pattern, while the open face showcases a porcelain enamel ivory dial with bold Arabic numbers and blue steel hands. Measuring approximately 49mm in diameter and 14mm thick (including the crystal), this vintage piece is in very good condition, but may require some maintenance to keep it running smoothly. To ensure its longevity, it’s best to wind the watch daily at the same time, being careful not to over-tighten the crown. Overall, this Elgin pocket watch is a stunning and unique piece of history that will make a great addition to any collection. Creator: Elgin Case Material: Gold-filled Case Dimensions: Depth: 14 mm (0.56 in)Diameter: 49 mm (1.93 in) Style: Art Deco Place of Origin: United States Period: 1920-1929 Date of Manufacture: 1925 Condition: Good

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 timeline More pocket watches from this period Earlier: 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.

Mechanisms mentioned

No escapement or complication is named in the source record. See the encyclopedia for how such pieces work.

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: WatchMuseum.org shop (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © WatchMuseum.org — the publisher's own shop photographs (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Gold Filled Elgin National Watch Co. Pocket Watch, 1925." WatchMuseum.org shop, Product 2562. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/gold-filled-elgin-national-watch-co-pocket-watch-e70bc4.