Image 1 of 16
Image 2 of 16
Image 3 of 16
Image 4 of 16
Image 5 of 16
Image 6 of 16
Image 7 of 16
Image 8 of 16
Image 9 of 16
Image 10 of 16
Image 11 of 16
Image 12 of 16
Image 13 of 16
Image 14 of 16
Image 15 of 16
Image 16 of 16
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 is built around an authentic World War I era trench dial with matching original hands, a configuration born from necessity rather than ornament. The dial is porcelain-enamel and survives in flawless condition, an exceptionally rare level of preservation for a military dial intended for active service. Fired enamel was chosen for trench watches for its durability and legibility, yet most examples show hairlines, chips, or surface loss from decades of use. Both the dial and hands were originally lumed with radium. Close inspection of the hands reveals the small divots where the radium compound was applied, a physical record of their original function. These watches allowed soldiers to coordinate movements and attacks at night without striking a match or using a flashlight, actions that could immediately draw enemy fire. For safety, the original radium lume was professionally removed. The original hands were then polished to a mirror finish and re-blued by hand, restoring their crisp contrast against the bright porcelain-enamel trench dial. Beneath the dial is Elgins 17 jewel Grade 383 movement, produced between 1909 and 1917, directly overlapping with the First World War. The movement features richly decorated ratchet and crown wheels with bold damaskeening throughout. Fully restored in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop, every component was individually refinished. Screws and steel hardware were thermally blued by hand over an open flame, improving corrosion resistance while adding restrained visual contrast (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were each hand polished to restore their original golden sheen. Taken together, this piece pairs a flawless porcelain-enamel World War I trench dial and original hands with a movement of the same era, preserving both the function and the uncompromising intent of early military watchmaking.
The timepiece is housed in our 316L surgical-grade stainless steel conversion case with adjustable lugs that make winding and setting effortless while ensuring a comfortable fit across a wide range of wrist sizes. Front, back, and crown gaskets provide water resistance up to 50 meters, though we recommend removing the watch before engaging in water activities. Fully serviced and carefully tested, this piece is ready for its 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: 1911
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (flawless)
Jewels: 17 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: 15935209
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.