Elgin Grade 259 from 1904 with a Flawless Porcelain-Enamel Dial
This timepiece is a pocket watch conversion, and the movement can be seen through the caseback. The timepiece features 15 jewels and a flawless porcelain-enamel dial.
This piece is in our 44 mm conversion case, learn more about case size and profile.
*Every detail—from servicing, restoring, repairing and casing—is completed in our shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA*
This timepiece is a pocket watch conversion, and the movement can be seen through the caseback. The timepiece features 15 jewels and a flawless porcelain-enamel dial.
This piece is in our 44 mm conversion case, learn more about case size and profile.
*Every detail—from servicing, restoring, repairing and casing—is completed in our shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA*
This timepiece is a pocket watch conversion, and the movement can be seen through the caseback. The timepiece features 15 jewels and a flawless porcelain-enamel dial.
This piece is in our 44 mm conversion case, learn more about case size and profile.
*Every detail—from servicing, restoring, repairing and casing—is completed in our shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA*
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 Elgin timepiece was crafted in Elgin, Illinois, and completed in 1904. It houses Elgin’s 15-jewel Grade 259 movement—a reliable, low-production caliber made from 1900 to 1904, with only 8,300 ever manufactured. The movement features 15 jewels, intricately decorated ratchet and crown wheels, and stunning damaskeening (Geneva stripes). Components were carefully refinished with blue accents on the screws and hardware using precise, hand-applied thermal treatment—a traditional watchmaking technique that enhances both corrosion resistance and visual appeal (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were each hand-polished to restore their original golden sheen. The original heat-blued hands remain unrestored. The flawless porcelain-enamel dial features a striking blue center with golden motifs along the perimeter. The numerals are unusually styled for a fancy dial—presented in the American railroad tradition—blending the elegance of a decorative dial with the high legibility of the Railroad Grade era.
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: Sub dial second hand
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Elgin
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1904
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (flawless)
Jewels: 15 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
Original Case Included: No
Serial Number: 10259787
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.