Dwight D. Eisenhower: Wore several watches during his life, including Elgin timepieces. Elgin was often issued or gifted to government and military personnel during his era.
History of The Elgin Watch Company
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Vintage WWII Elgin Military A-11 Watch
Elgin “Military Issue” A-11
-
Type: WWII military wristwatch
-
Why it’s notable: Elgin was one of the major producers of the A-11 military watch, the so-called “watch that won the war.”
Monday, June 2, 2025
Friday, May 30, 2025
Elgin Grade 214 or 239 "Veritas" Pocket Watch
Elgin Grade 214 or 239 "Veritas" Pocket Watches
These are high-grade railroad watches, with 21–23 jewels, and were Elgin’s answer to the demand for accurate timekeeping on the railroads.
Features:
B.W. Raymond or Veritas branding,Lever-set movements and jeweled, adjusted to multiple positions
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Vintage Lord Elgin Watch Pictures
The Elgin National Watch Company began using the "Lord Elgin" name around 1936.
"Lord Elgin" was used to designate their top-tier line of wristwatches, typically featuring higher-grade movements and better materials (such as solid gold cases). These watches often included 21-jewel or 23-jewel movements, many of which were adjusted for accuracy, a feature reserved for higher-end timepieces.
This branding continued prominently through the 1940s and 1950s, and "Lord Elgin" became one of Elgin’s most recognizable product lines during the company's mid-20th-century heyday.
Monday, May 26, 2025
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Rare Elgin Direct Read Golf Ball Mens Watch
Elgin produced it from 1957-1962 and catalogued it as their Direct Reading 9587, one of the world's first digital readout watches. The manually-wound, caliber 717 movement spins on 17 jewels, and it has a unique "jump hour" feature that snaps forward to each successive hour. Its golf ball motif case has a rolled gold plate (RGP) bezel and stainless steel back.
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Elgin National Watch Company
The Elgin National Watch Company, often simply known as Elgin, was one of the most prominent and influential American watchmakers from the late 19th to mid-20th century. Here's a detailed overview of its history:
Founding and Early Years (1864–1870s)
-
Founded: August 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, originally as the National Watch Company.
-
Founders: A group of Chicago businessmen, including former Waltham Watch Company employees such as J.C. Adams.
-
Goal: To produce high-quality, affordable watches using standardized, interchangeable parts—a revolutionary idea at the time.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Dwight D. Eisenhower Elgin Field Watch
Dwight D. Eisenhower : Wore several watches during his life, including Elgin timepieces. Elgin was often issued or gifted to government an...
