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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 is Elgin’s Grade 194, the most advanced and highest-grade 12-size movement ever produced by Elgin in Elgin, Illinois. Produced in exceptionally limited numbers, this particular variant was restricted to just 2,000 examples. While production of the grade spanned 1898 to 1906, this example dates to 1899, making it an especially rare example from the 19th century.
The entire movement was meticulously restored from the ground up, with particular attention paid to bringing back the vibrant colors and contrast of its original finishing. The raised jewel chatons were individually hand-polished to restore their rich golden luster, along with the balance and balance weights. The faded enamel lettering was carefully re-inked, restoring its sharp contrast against the bright nickel-plated movement plates. The screws, arbor, and regulator were individually thermally blued by hand over an alcohol lamp, producing deep blue accents that enhance the movement's appearance while improving corrosion resistance (read more here). The resulting contrast between the rich blue steel, polished gold chatons, and brilliant silver plates is absolutely stunning.
The dial side offers an entirely different experience. The original porcelain-enamel railroad dial is in flawless condition, free of chips, cracks, or hairlines. Its design embodies the classic American railroad aesthetic, with bold Arabic numerals, a precisely defined minute track accented by red indices at five-minute intervals, and a sub seconds dial. This is the definitive railroad dial, where exceptional legibility and functionality take precedence. The original heat-blued hands remain unrestored, retaining the rich blue finish applied by Elgin at the time of manufacture. Their deep blue tone provides exceptional contrast against the brilliant white porcelain enamel, creating a display that is both visually striking and easy to read. The combination of bold numerals, precise markings, and contrasting hands helped establish the standard for American railroad timekeeping, where accuracy and legibility were essential to keeping America's railroads running safely and on time.
The timepiece is encased in a surgical grade 316L stainless steel conversion case, designed with adjustable lugs for easy winding and setting, ensuring a comfortable fit across various wrist sizes. The case includes front, back, and crown gaskets, providing water resistance up to 50 meters, though it is recommended to remove the watch before engaging in water activities. The timepiece comes fully serviced and ready for your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 bph (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Safety barrel
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Elgin
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1899
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
Jewels: 23 jewels
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 7499421
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.