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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 porcelain-enamel dial is the clear highlight of this piece. It features Roman numerals and an Elgin banner signature, with the Elgin name carried across a flowing banner that appears to move in the wind. It is a design we do not encounter often and gives the dial a distinctive character with a clean, well-balanced layout. The outer minute track is marked boldly at five-minute intervals, a subtle detail that reinforces the strong proportions and makes the dial especially easy to read. This 1898 Elgin is powered by the Grade 133, a movement produced for only a short period between 1896 and 1899 across just 30 runs. The grade is known for its distinctive mainspring barrel, decorated with an intricate geometric motif that reflects early Elgin artistry at the time. Every movement component was carefully restored by hand. Screws and steel hardware were thermally blued using traditional, hand-applied techniques to improve corrosion resistance and add depth and contrast (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand-polished to restore their original golden tone. The minute and hour hands were polished to a mirror finish to remove corrosion, then individually heat-blued by hand to achieve a rich, iridescent blue that provides striking contrast against the bright white dial. Altogether, this is a thoughtfully restored example of late nineteenth-century Elgin watchmaking, combining a standout dial with period-correct finishing and careful handwork throughout.
Housed in our expertly engineered 40 mm conversion case, this timepiece is designed to highlight the elegance of its vintage dial while offering one of the most wearable conversion cases available. 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). Every piece is fully serviced, meticulously tested, and prepared to accompany you on your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 275 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: 1898
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
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: 7054335
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.