Industry | Watch manufacturing |
---|---|
Predecessor | National Watch Company |
Founded | 1863 |
Founder | Philo Carpenter Howard Z. Culver Benjamin W. Raymond George M. Wheeler Thomas S. Dickerson Edward H. Williams W. Robbins |
Defunct | 1968 |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Pocket watches, wrist watches, bomb sights and precision instruments |
The Elgin National Watch Company, commonly known as Elgin Watch Company, was a major US watch maker from 1864 to 1968. The company sold watches under the names Elgin, Lord Elgin, and Lady Elgin.
Elgin National Watch Company Serial Number, Elgin pocket watch. Elgin National Watch Company. In the spring of 1864 half a dozen ambitious Chicago businessmen decided that if Massachusetts could build a factory that built watches – Illinois could, too. Harper’s magazine summed their sentiment perfectly: “It was the genuine. The serial number must be off the movement of the watch (where the gears are), not off the case. These two serial numbers are unrelated. For more information see the Watch Serial Number web page. You must give the letter prefix of the serial number, if there is one. Collectable Watches and Movements. Elgin 12-size, grade 233, 15 jewel pocket watch. Serial number 9493331. Housed in a Wadsworth Patent gold filled case, marked 'Elgin' and etched inside the covers. Runs with pressure on the crown. Metal conversion dial in nice condition.
For nearly 100 years the company's manufacturing complex in Elgin, Illinois, was the largest site dedicated to watchmaking in the world.[1]
History[edit]
19th century business card with Elgin logo
The company was first incorporated in August 1864 as the National Watch Company, in Chicago, Illinois, by Philo Carpenter, Howard Z. Culver, Benjamin W. Raymond, George M. Wheeler, Thomas S. Dickerson and W. Robbins. In September of the same year the founders visited the Waltham Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts, and successfully convinced seven of Waltham's watchmakers to come to work for their new company.[2]
The growing young city of Elgin, Illinois, some 30 miles northwest of Chicago, was chosen as the factory site. Initially, as part of the deal, the city was asked to donate 35 acres (142,000 m²) of land for construction of the factory. A derelict farm was selected for this, however the owners refused to sell the property unless the city purchased their entire 71 acres for $3,550. Four Elgin businessmen agreed to purchase the property and then donated the required 35 acres to the watch company. The company was re-organized in April 1865 and the factory was completed in 1866. The first movement, delivered in 1867, was named the B.W. Raymond in honor of Benjamin W. Raymond. The watch was an 18 size, full plate design. In 1869, the National Watch Company won 'Best Watches, Illinois Manufacture' at the 17th Annual Illinois State Fair, for which it won a silver medal.[3] The company officially changed its name to the Elgin National Watch Company in 1874, as the Elgin name had come into common usage for their watches.
Later history[edit]
The company built the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory in 1910 to maintain scientifically precise times in their watches. The company produced many of the self-winding wristwatch movements made in the United States beginning with the 607 and 618 calibers (which were bumper wind) and the calibers 760 and 761 (30 and 27 jewels respectively).
During World War II all civilian manufacturing was halted and the company moved into the defense industry, manufacturing military watches, chronometers, fuzes for artillery shells, altimeters and other aircraft instruments and sapphire bearings used for aiming cannons.
Over time a number of additional plants were operated, mostly in Elgin. However, additional plants were located in Aurora, Illinois and Lincoln, Nebraska. The original, obsolete factory in Elgin closed in 1964, after having produced half of the total number of pocket watches manufactured in the United States (dollar-type not included). The plant was razed in 1966.[4] In 1964 the company relocated most manufacturing operations to a new plant in Blaney, a town near Columbia, South Carolina which renamed itself Elgin, South Carolina. A leased building in Elgin that housed offices as well as casing, fitting, shipping, service, and trade material departments was maintained until about 1970.
All US manufacturing was discontinued in 1968, and the rights to the name 'Elgin' were sold and subsequently resold multiple times over the years. The rights eventually were purchased by MZ Berger Inc., which manufactures its watches in China and distributes them outside traditional watch dealerships. Elgin-branded watches produced after 1968 have no connection to the Elgin Watch Company.
The city of Elgin, North Dakota derives its name from the watch brand.[5] Likewise, NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor was named after the Elgin National Watch Company.[6]
Gallery[edit]
- Front of an Elgin pocket watch from 1911 in a hunter-style closed case with the stem located at the 3 o'clock position.
- Pocket watch with opened cover plate.
- Movement of the same pocket watch.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Aft, E.C. Elgin: An American History, 2000. Accessed 16 Sept. 2013
- ^'Elgin National Watches'. Elgin National Watches. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^John P. Reynolds. Transactions of the Illinois State Agricultural Society with Reports from County and District Agricultural Societies. Illinois Journal Printing Office, 1871, p. 45
- ^Halvorsen, David, 'Elgin's New Look: Father Time Tumbles - Town No Longer Dependent on Watches', Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Tuesday 5 July 1966, Volume 120, Number 186, Section 1 - Page 3.
- ^Federal Writers' Project (1938). North Dakota, a Guide to the Northern Prairie State,. WPA. p. 230. ISBN978-1-62376-033-5.
- ^Elgin Baylor bio at NBA website
Sources[edit]
- Complete Watch Guide, by Cooksey Shugart, Tom Engle, Richard E. Gilbert, 1998 ed., ISBN1-57432-064-5
External links[edit]
- [1] The Watch Word magazine
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elgin_National_Watch_Company&oldid=877624015'
Elgin Pocket Watches
Add a vintage timepiece to your collection with your pick from the range of Elgin pocket watches, which are very sought after by watch collectors.
Although Elgin stopped trading in 1964, the company had almost 100 years of trading, during which time they produced over 60 million watches. This shows how highly valued the craftsmanship of the company was.
So desired are they, that there are many companies who will restore and repair them if you do pick up a non-working piece.
Knowing the serial number of a timepiece is essential in finding out it's value, this is found on the inside of the case. With the help of the serial number, it is possible to find the age, quality and grade of the timepiece. This will help you to know precisely what it is you are buying.
Elgin Gold Pocket Watch Serial Number Lookup
Choosing an Elgin
What determines the value of an Elgin pocket watch is the type of watch, the age, quality and grade, although the most important factor in purchasing one is gut feeling and whether you like the look and style of it.
Generally, the lower the serial number, the older the watch is, a factor that will often make the piece more valuable. However, if you are buying for yourself the monetary value may not be of much concern. A classy and elegant solid gold Elgin will go well with a nice three piece suit at a formal gathering, or if you wear a suit to work. A silver plated Elgin will appear more understated and less flashy, for a subtler overall look. Everybody looks good checking the time on their very own pocket watch.
Elgin Gold Pocket Watch Serial Number
Most models will feature standard roman numerals , though some will feature Western numberings or Arabic numerals.
Swiss Elgins
Towards the end of the company's production period, Elgin imported their timepieces from Switzerland due to high competition and cost effectiveness. These movements were assembled at the Elgin factory, earning them the name Swiss Elgins.
Because of this, the Swiss Elgins have no real value. The way to spot these is through their lack of a distinct serial number that is found on the American-made Elgins.