WWI Era Elgin from 1916 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, a flawless porcelain-enamel dial, and the original 14 karat gold pocket watch case.
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, a flawless porcelain-enamel dial, and the original 14 karat gold pocket watch case.
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, a flawless porcelain-enamel dial, and the original 14 karat gold pocket watch case.
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 1916. It houses Elgin’s 15-jewel Grade 417 movement—a limited production only manufactured from 1916 to 1918. The movement features 15 jewels, intricately decorated ratchet and crown wheels, and elegant damaskeening. The movement has been fully restored and carefully refinished with blue accents on the screws and hardware, applied by hand using thermal coloring—a traditional technique used by early 20th-century watchmakers to enhance both corrosion resistance and visual appeal. The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were each individually hand-polished to bring back their original golden luster and sheen. The watch hands have not been restored and retain their original golden finish. The Elgin dial, made of porcelain-enamel, is flawless—void of chips, cracks, or hairlines. The brilliant white of the porcelain-enamel dial contrasts beautifully with the golden hands, making time-checking a visual delight.
The timepiece is encased in a 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. Because of our dedication to preserving American watchmaking history the original 14 karat gold pocket watch case is included as well.
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: 1916
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: Yes, 14 karat gold filled
Serial Number: 18918262
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.