Is the Elgin watch Co still in business?
Total production over their 100 years of operation reached 60 million watches, making Elgin one of the most commonly collected vintage watches, since there are still so many examples available at reasonable prices. The Elgin National Watch Company went out of business in 1964.
How big is the serial number on an Elgin Watch?
For Elgin watches, case serial numbers on solid gold watches will usually be only 10% or less of the serial number on the movement.
When was the first Elgin wrist watch made?
Opening wrist watch cases, especially ones made after around 1950, some times requires special tools. Earlier wrist watches are often similar to pocket watches. Why the Movement and Case Serial Numbers Are Unrelated
How did the Elgin National Watch Company get its name?
The use of the name “Elgin” in their brand names, or marking the cases with “Elgin USA” has often led people to believe that a watch was made by the Elgin National Watch Company when it was actually made by another manufacturer, or to think that a watch no longer has its original case because it is “now in an Elgin case.”
Why are Elgin Watches so popular with collectors?
Elgin watches remain extremely popular with collectors today because they are plentiful, can be obtained at reasonable prices, and can be relatively easily repaired due to the large number of watches and parts available.
How can I find out the serial number of an Elgin Watch?
Case serial number The Online Database for the Elgin Watch Company can tell you a great deal of information about your watch, based on just the serial number off the movement. (The “movement” is also sometimes called the “watch works”.) Serial Number off the movement: Important! The serial number must be off the movement of the watch…
When did the Elgin start using model numbers?
Starting around 1932, Elgin used model numbers to identify unique case designs. In the 1950s, the use of model numbers was supplemented by individual model names. (The model numbers remained, however, and are the key to finding replacement parts for Elgins of the period.)
When was the first Elgin National Watch made?
The factory for the National watch company was completed in 1866, and the first movement produced was an 18-size B. W. Raymond model which sold in April of 1867 for the astounding price of $115. This identical watch, serial number 101, was sold at auction in New York in 1988 for $12,000.
Is the Elgin E still on the dial?
Until the late 1960s, all Elgins are marked clearly on the dial with the word “Elgin.” In the late 60s and thereafter, a few models reduced the brand mark to the Elgin “E” logo, but the mark still always appeared on the dial. The only exceptions to this are the related or subsidiary brands, (discussed further on the “ About Elgin ” page).
