Antique Early 20th Century Elgin National Gold Filled Pocket Watch For Parts

Description

Antique circa 1906 hunting pocket watch by Elgin National Watch Co, works numbered 12334151. Grade 291, 16s, 7 jewels. Case numbered 5 – 9755, etched with roses; contains a small photo of a young boy holding a camera.

“John C. Adams, Chicago watchmaker and timekeeper for the railroad serving the Chicago area, along with Benjamin W. Raymond, past Chicago mayor and member of the board of directors of the Chicago and Galena Union Railroad, promoted the construction of a watch factory in the West. The National Watch Company was first incorporated in Chicago, Illinois, in August 1864. The incorporators included Benjamin W. Raymond, past Chicago mayor, Howard Z. Culver, Thomas W. Dickenson, George M. Wheeler, Philip Carpenter, W. Robbins and Edward H. Williams. Several key watchmakers were recruited from the American Waltham Watch Co. in Waltham, Massachusetts. The factory in Elgin, Illinois, thirty miles northwest of Chicago, was completed in 1866.
The company officially changed its name to the Elgin National Watch Company in May 1874, as the Elgin name had come into common usage for their watches.
During the mid-1870's the company developed a lower priced line of watches. The 18-size and 16-size watch models were redesigned and smaller size watches for general use were introduced. Prices were also reduced resulting in increased demand.
Elgin became best known for producing the ""working man's"" mid-grade watches, however, they also produced a number of high grade watches. Elgin watch grades identify the level of quality to which they are finished. Elgin assigned a grade number to a movement of a specific size, jeweling and finish. If a change was made a different grade number would be assigned. Elgin also assigned a name, such as B W. Raymond, to a range of grade numbers of various sizes and jeweling, but finished to the same level of quality.”

Condition

Fair Condition - No glass; hands broken; no top knob, not tested.

Dimensions

2.125” x 0.5” x 2.75” (Width x Depth x Height)