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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.
Manufactured in 1943 at the height of World War II, this Elgin GSTP was produced by the Elgin National Watch Company for the British Ministry of Defence under the General Service Time Piece contract. Built to stringent military standards, these watches were issued to British and Commonwealth forces as reliable field instruments—used for navigation, coordination, and mission timing in some of the most demanding wartime conditions. The dial is a remarkable survivor. Crafted from black porcelain-enamel, it remains free of cracks and chips—an exceptionally rare state for a military-issued watch of this era. Its glossy surface, paired with crisp white Arabic numerals, offers striking contrast and superb legibility in both daylight and low light. The white spade and whip hands and sub-seconds hand complete the functional, high-contrast design that defined military service watches of the 1940s. Beneath the dial lies a gilt-finished Elgin movement that has been meticulously restored. The bridges and plates were cleaned and revived to bring back their warm golden hue, while the balance and balance weights were hand-polished to restore their original luster. The engraved lettering on the plates was carefully inlaid with black enamel paint to enhance contrast and legibility—a detail not performed during wartime production, as these watches were built for utility over ornamentation. The original nickel case shows visible wear, evidence of genuine field use and service. Fully serviced and mechanically restored in our Little Rock, Arkansas workshop, this 1943 Elgin GSTP stands as a faithful relic of the Allied war effort—an American-made timepiece that served under the British flag and continues to embody precision, endurance, and history.
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 seconds
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Elgin Watch Company
Partnership: US Military during WWII
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Year Manufactured: 1943
Dial Material: Metal
Movement Setting: Stem
Jewels: 9 jewels
Jewel Casings: Brass (hand restored)
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
Case Diameter: 50 mm
Height: 14 mm
Original Case Included: Yes, military issued
Serial Number: 41771964
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.