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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.
This dial carries the aesthetic of WWI trench watches but swaps the typical Arabic numerals for bold Roman figures. The stark white background, the heavy black printing, and the minute track together create a strong military edge, but the Roman numerals give it a more utilitarian presence. They feel assertive and functional, almost like stenciled markings on field gear. Even the ELGIN signature in block lettering reinforces that equipment-first design language. The handset continues that theme. A spade hour hand paired with a whip minute hand is the classic trench watch hand stack, more in line with practical officer watches of the mid 1910s than the ornate pocket watch styles that preceded them. Both hands were restored by polishing away corrosion to a mirror finish before thermal coloring over an alcohol lamp to achieve deep iridescent blues that stand out sharply against the white dial. Behind the dial sits an equally strong performer. Completed in 1917 in Elgin, Illinois, this piece houses the Grade 216 movement, a 15 jewel caliber produced from 1904 to 1921 and known for its exposed mainspring barrel and dramatic damaskeening. Every surface was revived in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop. Screws and hardware were thermally colored one at a time over an open flame (read more here), and every jewel setting, gear train component, and balance assembly was hand polished to restore its warm golden tone against the nickel plates. A bold Roman numeral trench style dial paired with a fully restored Grade 216 movement creates a rare and striking variation on the classic military era aesthetic..
The timepiece is housed in our 40 mm surgical-grade 316L stainless steel conversion case, designed for one of the best fits available in any conversion. Engineered with both caseback and crown gaskets, it offers water resistance up to 50 meters (though it is recommended to remove the watch before water activities). Fully serviced and carefully inspected, this watch is ready for your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 290 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Sub second hand
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Elgin
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1917
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (excellent)
Jewels: 15 jewels
Case Diameter: 40 mm
Front Crystal: Domed sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 20 mm
Lug to Lug: 48 mm
Height: 13 mm
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: 19328316
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.