Antique 1915 Elgin Model 7 Grade 293 7j 16s Pocket Watch & Chain

Description

Antique 1915 Elgin openface pocket watch and chain. White face with black Arabic numerals, auxilliary dial, and iridescent blue hands. Back etched with scrolling foliate and leaves around an empty frame for a monogram. Movement - Elgin National Watch Co, USA - Seven Jewels - 18473281 - Grade 293 - Model 7 - 16s. Case - National Watch Case Co - Warranted 25 Years - 706297. Includes 1/20 12K gold filled snake chain.

"Elgin National Watch Company - Years of Operation 1864-1968. August 27, 1864 - The National Watch Co. of Chicago Illinois is incorporated in Chicago by Philo Carpenter, Howard Z. Culver, Benjamin W. Raymond, George M. Wheeler, Thomas S. Dickerson, Edward H. Williams, and W. Robbins with a capital of $100,000. April 25, 1865 - The National Watch Co. of Chicago is reorganized with a capital of $500,000 in order to build a permanent factory in Elgin, Illinois. Construction of the watch factory in Elgin, Illinois is completed in 1866. April 1867 - The National Watch Co. sells its first movement for about $115.00, an 18s key wind and key set quick train B.W. Raymond, named after the president of the company, serial number 101. July 16, 1867 - The National Watch Co. produces a new 18-Size movement, named the H.Z. Culver, after one of the company directors. October 10, 1867 - Benjamin W. Raymond is replaced by T.M. Avery as president of the National Watch Co. October 14, 1867 - The first J.T. Ryerson watch is produced by the National Watch Co. November 20, 1867 - The first H.H. Taylor watch is produced by the National Watch Co. November 26, 1867 - The first G.M. Wheeler watch is produced by the National Watch Co. January 4, 1868 - The first Mat. Laflin watch is produced by the National Watch Co. January 28, 1869 - The capital of The National Watch Co. is increased to $2,000,000. May 20, 1869 - The first "Lady Elgin" watch is produced by the National Watch Co. This 10s key-wind watch is marketed toward ladies. August 24, 1870 - After the success and popularity of the "Lady Elgin," The National Watch Co. offers the "Francis Rubie," another ladies watch, adjusted to temperature. September 8, 1871 - The first Gail Borden watch is produced by the National Watch Co., created specifically for the ladies market. December 20, 1871 - The first Dexter Street watch is produced by the National Watch Co., created specifically for the ladies market. June 28, 1873 - The first stem-wound model is produced by the company. October 10, 1874 - The National Watch Co. is rebraded as Elgin National Watch Co. March 1875 - The Elgin Watch Co. begins to manufacture mainsprings to use in its movements. June 16, 1875 - The first watches to carry the Elign Watch Co. brand are manufactured. At this time, the company begins using numbered designations for movements. 1877 - The Elign Watch Co. offers its first nickel-plated movement. April 5, 1883 - Benjamin W. Raymond, the National Watch Co.'s first president, passes away. June 5, 1895 - The Elgin National Watch Company terminates production of 11-Jewel movements while announcing new 15-Jewel movements in 16-Size, 6-Size, and 0-Size. 1888 - The widely popular Elgin Watch Co. is producing about 7,500 movements per week and employ roughly 2,300 people. October 1895 - The Elgin National Watch Company introduces a thinner 16-Size product line that requires a "new model case." Other watch companies soon follow this trend and offer thinner movements to fit the "Elgin" case. 1910 - Elgin begins selling wristwatches. The Elgin National Watch Company Observatory is built in Elgin, Illinois to offer scientific precision for their watches. 1964 - The Elgin Watch Co. moves operations to Blaney, South Carolina, and the town is renamed "Elgin." 1966 - The original factory in Elgin, Illinois is demolished.1968 - All Elgin Watch Co. manufacturing is discontinued. 1970 - Elgin's remaining trade material departments are terminated." (Source: Pocket Watch Database)

"The National Watch Case Company was organized in early 1888 as a joint venture between Albert Booz and Alfred Humbert. The February and March 1888 issues of The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review reported on this consolidation of Booz & Co. and Humbert's company. Booz was formerly a partner at Booz & Thomas, while Humbert was the senior member of the Hurlburt & Sons firm. When the company opened operations at 715-719 Arch Street in Philadelphia, it employed around 150-175 workers. According to reports, the company specialized in manufacturing 14K and 18K gold watch cases. A short time after commencing production, the company began making seamless gold rings using a patented process. In 1890, there was an embezzlement scandal when two employees were discovered to have stolen gold from the company. The same year, the company was awarded nearly $18,000 in the case against the Atkinson Brothers in Philadelphia during the watch club collapse. A few months later, the company filed another suit for $4,300 to receive payment for additional promissory notes. In July 1890, there was a chemical explosion at the factory. However, the damage was minimal. On October 15, 1890, possibly due to mounting financial issues with the Atkinson Brothers and production problems, leadership decided to dissolve the company. Albert Booz sold the existing stock under his new operation - The Federal Watch Company, at 1026 Arch Street. The July 13, 1892 issue of The Jeweler's Circular reported that the firm had been transferred to Alfred Humbert, who continued the company under the name The National Watch and Jewelry Manufacturing Company. However, there is no evidence that this company proceeded with manufacturing after 1892." (Source: Pocket Watch Database)

Condition

Good working condition, wear and distressing, tarnish, finish loss.

Dimensions

2" x 0.375" x 2.75" / Chain Length - 13.5" (Width x Depth x Height)