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Elgin National Watch Co. was in operation from 1864-1968 and was an American pocket watch manufacturer. Manufacturing of Elgin watches took place at their facility in Elgin, Illinois.
The original porcelain-enamel dial on this 1900 Elgin is beautifully designed, combining traditional American railroad styling with exceptional artistry. At center is the Elgin logo, accompanied by a decorative golden motif beneath. The Arabic numerals feature a distinctive curved design, creating a more elegant profile, with golden semicircular accents framing each numeral. Between the numerals and the outer minute track is perhaps the most spectacular feature of the dial: a vibrant teal band that is beautifully complemented by the matching teal strap. This touch of color provides exceptional contrast against the white porcelain enamel. The outer minute track follows the traditional American railroad style, with five-minute indices extending to 60. The dial captures the clarity and legibility of American railroad watchmaking while incorporating an unusually decorative design that makes this example particularly special.
Beneath the dial, this 1900 Elgin is powered by the Grade 199, a movement produced between 1899 and 1900, making this one of the last examples ever manufactured. One of the defining features of the Grade 199 is its unique power delivery system, incorporating a safety barrel rather than a conventional going barrel. In this design, the mainspring barrel incorporates a separate winding arrangement that helps protect the gear train from damage in the event of a mainspring break. Every component of the movement was carefully restored by hand in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop. Screws and steel hardware were thermally blued over an alcohol lamp to enhance corrosion resistance while introducing depth and contrast (read more here). The jewel chatons, safety barrel bushing, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original golden brilliance. The exceptional artistry of the original porcelain-enamel dial and the mechanical ingenuity of the Grade 199 movement make this a remarkable example of American watchmaking at the turn of the 20th century.
Housed in our 36 mm conversion case, this timepiece is designed to preserve the elegance of its vintage aesthetic while offering the refined proportions of a modern dress watch. Crafted from surgical-grade 316L stainless steel, the case features both caseback and crown gaskets for enhanced durability and water resistance up to 50 meters (though we recommend removing the watch before water activities). At just 36 mm across with a slim profile, the case wears compact, elegant, and exceptionally comfortable on the wrist. Every piece is fully serviced, meticulously tested, and built for reliable everyday wear.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 270 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Safety barrel
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Elgin
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1900
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
Jewels: 15 jewels
Case Diameter: 36 mm
Front Crystal: Domed sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 20 mm
Lug to Lug: 44 mm
Height: 10 mm
Serial Number: 8017414
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.