Saturday, June 14, 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 and military personnel during his era. 



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.”






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



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.







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.



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...