- Antique Elgin 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch. This beautiful antique Elgin pocket watch circa 1895 is a true collectible. The hunting case has an inner dust cover and is set with.
- Elgin pocket watch. Case keystone watch case #8455961 silveroid Watch Elgin pocket watch. Case keystone watch case #XXXXX silveroid Watch 1.75 dia #10524663 Inside in marker 1903/1904 read more.
Find out the real value of your Elgin Pocket Watch value by using the movement serial number. This video will help you understand how to work out the year of manufacture for your Elgin pocket. Elgin 14k Muti-Tone Gold Elgin Antique Pocket Watch 1.5' Diameter $ 1,250.
Elgin pocket watches were an icon of American pocket watch production in the 20th century and reflect the massive progress of the age with durable yet elegant designs. Founded in Chicago in 1864, the then National Watch Company was developed out of a consortium of local business leaders. Their goal was to create watches that were durable, affordable, and aesthetically satisfying.
After recruiting employees from a Massachusetts competitor, the Waltham Watch Company, the gentlemen established a 35-acre space in rural Elgin, Illinois, as the location for their headquarters. Construction was complete in 1866, their first movement was created the year after, and awards for their designs were already rolling in as early as 1869.
By the time the company changed its name to the Elgin National Watch Company in 1874, the premise of their production had been firmly established, and their goal had been realized. Elgin National Watches, which were produced until the late 1960s, held a reputation for their reliability and their refinement, a combination that still makes them desirable today.
Quick Facts
Elgin Pocket Watch Value Guide
- Elgin’s manufacturing headquarters in Elgin, Illinois, represented the largest watchmaking operation in the world for the 98 years it was in operation (1866-1964)
- In honor of Chicago’s mayor, the first pocket watch they created in 1867 was named the “B.W. Raymond”
- May 1869 marked the release of Elgin’s first watch for women. Fittingly called the “Lady Elgin,” it rapidly became a fashion statement
Antique Elgin Railroad Pocket Watches
Learn more about Elgin Pocket Watches on the Invaluable blog.
Elgin Pocket Watch Value By Serial Number
Open the cases rear cover and look for the markings 10k, 14k, or 18k. This should be easy to see, as it will be impressed into the inside back cover. If one of those markings is visible, then your pocket watch is gold.
If instead you see something such as Guaranteed 10 Years or Guaranteed 20 Years, then your pocket watch is not gold, but rather gold plate. The guarantee does not guarantee that the watch will work for 10 or 20 years. Rather it means that the gold plate will not wear off within 10 or 20 years.
If you do not see a specific gold marking or do not see the gold plate guarantee, its still possible that your pocket watch is gold. A reputable jeweler or gold store could test it. The gold acid test takes less than one minute, is usually free, but will most likely leave a blemish on the watch.
Whats it worth? Even if in non-working condition, gold watches can have considerable value, depending upon the gold weight, specific karat, current gold spot price, and the dealers spot price discount. However, beware that gold scrappers will only pay for the gold content and not for the watch movement and non-gold parts. So if you allow the dealer to take the watch apart to weigh the gold, and if you are not happy with the cash offer, you should understand that what youll get back are the loose parts and not a complete watch.
Mike Ivankovich is an auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing expert, and host of the 'What's It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser' radio show that airs live on Friday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. on WBCB 1490 AM in the greater Philadelphia area. It is available on the internet at www.WBCB1490.com. His show also airs in Denver, Co., on KEZW Cruisin 1430 AM on Saturdays from 3 to 4 p.m. MST and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon MST and on the internet at www.Cruisin1430.com.
To learn more, visit www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com.