Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Vintage Elgin 14K Yellow Gold 165 Pocket Watch
- Maker / attribution
- Elgin (maker)
- Date
- 20th century
- 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 2953
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2953)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Vintage Elgin 14K Yellow Gold 165 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 2953), this is a pocket watch by Elgin, made in United States, dated 20th century. 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 Vintage Elgin 14K Yellow Gold 165 Pocket Watch, a remarkable artifact that embodies the pinnacle of early 20th-century craftsmanship and elegance. This distinguished timepiece, meticulously crafted by Elgin, features a 14K yellow gold hunter case adorned with intricate flower engravings, encapsulating a sense of timeless beauty and sophistication. The 50mm diameter case houses a pristine white dial, elegantly marked with Roman numerals, exuding a classic charm that is both understated and captivating. Powered by manual winding, this pocket watch not only serves as a reliable timekeeper but also as a magnificent piece of jewelry that reflects a bygone era of luxury. Accompanied by a custom box, this pre-owned treasure is in excellent condition, making it an ideal addition to any discerning collector’s ensemble or a heartfelt gift for someone special. Originating from Switzerland, this Vintage Elgin Pocket Watch is a rare find that seamlessly blends style and functionality, ensuring it remains a cherished heirloom for generations to come. Don’t miss the opportunity to own a piece of history that epitomizes the elegance and precision of early 20th-century watchmaking. Introducing the Vintage Elgin 14K Yellow Gold 165 Pocket Watch, a stunning timepiece that captures the essence of vintage luxury. This pocket watch is powered by manual winding and boasts a 14K yellow gold hunter case adorned with beautiful flower engravings, measuring 50mm in diameter. The white dial features elegant Roman numerals, completing the classic look of the watch. This pre-owned pocket watch comes with a custom box, making it the perfect addition to any collection or a thoughtful gift for someone special. With its unique blend of style and functionality, the Vintage Elgin 14K Yellow Gold 165 Pocket Watch is a true gem that will never go out of style. Don’t miss your chance to own this timeless piece of history. Creator: Elgin Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 20th Century Date of Manufacture: Unknown Condition: Excellent
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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