As today is Labor Day, I thought we could take a look at a former American powerhouse of watch manufacture – the Elgin Watch Company.
(And before I go to0 far, credit needs to be given to ElginWatches and the large auction site for the info I was able to find.) Elgin started manufacturing pocket watches right after the Civil War ended, and their very first model was most definitely a working watch – it was certified for railroad use.
They started to produce wrist watches around 1910, which they continued to do until manufacturing ceased in the 1960s. These were not the highest-end pieces, but they weren’t cheapies either – they quite comfortable fit into the middle ground that today we call “affordable” (yes, I know, that term means different things to different people!).
Now, why would you want to pick up an Elgin? For starters, these are a great example of what the American watch industry used to put out in the market. Second, though they were only made for fifty or so years, they were mass-produced. Which means there are plenty that you can find out in the wild, and parts (or movements to be harvested for parts) can be readily found, and at quite
A quick search on Ebay shows that you could pick up an Elgin mechanical for under $50 in working order – but you could also spend quite a bit more if you were so inclined. For myself, I think I may need to research these pieces a bit more to get a better feel for the market, and what would constitute a desirable watch, and/or one that would be suitable for daily wear. Of course, if I do pick one up, you will be able to read the review right here!
great stuff. I have posted a link at my forum. Thanks for reminding us that America used to make some of the best watches in the world.