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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 railroad dial is the defining element of this piece. Bold black numerals stand out against the bright white surface, delivering exceptional clarity, while the red minute markers around the perimeter reinforce the classic railroad aesthetic. The sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock anchors the layout and highlights why early Elgin railroad dials set the benchmark for legibility during the era of regulated timekeeping. The design is straightforward, balanced, and instantly readable. Powering the watch is Elgin’s 15 jewel Grade 295 movement, completed in Elgin, Illinois in 1911 and part of a long production run from 1904 to 1921. This caliber has an exposed mainspring barrel and wave patterned damaskeening. The movement was fully restored in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop. Every screw and hardware component was thermally blued by hand to a rich iridescent finish (read more here), and the gear train and jewel settings were polished back to their original golden tone. The hands were restored one at a time—corrosion carefully removed, the steel polished to a mirror finish, and each thermally colored over an alcohol lamp to achieve a deep, even blue that pairs beautifully with the white of the dial. The result is a well preserved example of early twentieth century American watchmaking, revived with thoughtful craftsmanship and respect for the movement’s original character.
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: 1911
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: 15143033
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.