Industry | Watch manufacturing |
---|---|
Predecessor | National Watch Company |
Founded | 1863 |
Founder | Philo Carpenter Howard Z. Culver Benjamin W. Raymond George M. Wheeler Thomas S. Dickerson Edward H. Williams W. Robbins |
Defunct | 1968 |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Pocket watches, wrist watches, bomb sights and precision instruments |
The Elgin National Watch Company, commonly known as Elgin Watch Company, was a major US watch maker from 1864 to 1968. The company sold watches under the names Elgin, Lord Elgin, and Lady Elgin.
For nearly 100 years the company's manufacturing complex in Elgin, Illinois, was the largest site dedicated to watchmaking in the world.[1]
The watch was exquisite: Elgin National Watch Company was born. By 1910, word of Elgin’s obsession with precision had spread around the world. Elgin engineers built their own Observatory to maintain scientifically precise times in their watches.
History[edit]
19th century business card with Elgin logo
The company was first incorporated in August 1864 as the National Watch Company, in Chicago, Illinois, by Philo Carpenter, Howard Z. Culver, Benjamin W. Raymond, George M. Wheeler, Thomas S. Dickerson and W. Robbins. In September of the same year the founders visited the Waltham Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts, and successfully convinced seven of Waltham's watchmakers to come to work for their new company.[2]
The growing young city of Elgin, Illinois, some 30 miles northwest of Chicago, was chosen as the factory site. Initially, as part of the deal, the city was asked to donate 35 acres (142,000 m²) of land for construction of the factory. A derelict farm was selected for this, however the owners refused to sell the property unless the city purchased their entire 71 acres for $3,550. Four Elgin businessmen agreed to purchase the property and then donated the required 35 acres to the watch company. The company was re-organized in April 1865 and the factory was completed in 1866. The first movement, delivered in 1867, was named the B.W. Raymond in honor of Benjamin W. Raymond. The watch was an 18 size, full plate design. In 1869, the National Watch Company won 'Best Watches, Illinois Manufacture' at the 17th Annual Illinois State Fair, for which it won a silver medal.[3] The company officially changed its name to the Elgin National Watch Company in 1874, as the Elgin name had come into common usage for their watches.
Later history[edit]
The company built the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory in 1910 to maintain scientifically precise times in their watches. The company produced many of the self-winding wristwatch movements made in the United States beginning with the 607 and 618 calibers (which were bumper wind) and the calibers 760 and 761 (30 and 27 jewels respectively).
During World War II all civilian manufacturing was halted and the company moved into the defense industry, manufacturing military watches, chronometers, fuzes for artillery shells, altimeters and other aircraft instruments and sapphire bearings used for aiming cannons.
Over time a number of additional plants were operated, mostly in Elgin. However, additional plants were located in Aurora, Illinois and Lincoln, Nebraska. The original, obsolete factory in Elgin closed in 1964, after having produced half of the total number of pocket watches manufactured in the United States (dollar-type not included). The plant was razed in 1966.[4] In 1964 the company relocated most manufacturing operations to a new plant in Blaney, a town near Columbia, South Carolina which renamed itself Elgin, South Carolina. A leased building in Elgin that housed offices as well as casing, fitting, shipping, service, and trade material departments was maintained until about 1970.
All US manufacturing was discontinued in 1968, and the rights to the name 'Elgin' were sold and subsequently resold multiple times over the years. The rights eventually were purchased by MZ Berger Inc., which manufactures its watches in China and distributes them outside traditional watch dealerships. Elgin-branded watches produced after 1968 have no connection to the Elgin Watch Company.
The city of Elgin, North Dakota derives its name from the watch brand.[5] Likewise, NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor was named after the Elgin National Watch Company.[6]
Gallery[edit]
- Front of an Elgin pocket watch from 1911 in a hunter-style closed case with the stem located at the 3 o'clock position.
- Pocket watch with opened cover plate.
- Movement of the same pocket watch.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Aft, E.C. Elgin: An American History, 2000. Accessed 16 Sept. 2013
- ^'Elgin National Watches'. Elgin National Watches. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^John P. Reynolds. Transactions of the Illinois State Agricultural Society with Reports from County and District Agricultural Societies. Illinois Journal Printing Office, 1871, p. 45
- ^Halvorsen, David, 'Elgin's New Look: Father Time Tumbles - Town No Longer Dependent on Watches', Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Tuesday 5 July 1966, Volume 120, Number 186, Section 1 - Page 3.
- ^Federal Writers' Project (1938). North Dakota, a Guide to the Northern Prairie State,. WPA. p. 230. ISBN978-1-62376-033-5.
- ^Elgin Baylor bio at NBA website
Sources[edit]
- Complete Watch Guide, by Cooksey Shugart, Tom Engle, Richard E. Gilbert, 1998 ed., ISBN1-57432-064-5
External links[edit]
- [1] The Watch Word magazine
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elgin_National_Watch_Company&oldid=877624015'
Shop millions of handmade and vintage items on the world’s most imaginative marketplace
Elgin Pocket Watch, Rare Elgin Watch, Gold Pocket Watch, 14 Kt Gold Watch, Elgin Vintage Pocket Watch, Antique Pocket Watch, Vintage, Gift
€2,560.23Antique 1886 Hunters Case Elgin National Watch Co. 18s 17jewels Classic Pocket Watch Serviced and Running Accurately (WAT10243)
€287.90€411.29€411.29 (30% off)Rare 1875 Elgin Pocket Watch, Late 19th Century, 11 Jewel, Grade 18, Model 7, Non-Functional Movement For Restoration Serial #313797, #1654
€93.42€109.91€109.91 (15% off)Antique Pocket Watch Movement, 40mm, Thin, Lightweight, Tavannes Pocket Watch, Face & Dial, Steampunk Jewelry Making Watch Parts, Vintage
€21.98Elgin G M Wheeler 17j Pocket Watch
€73.271922 Elgin Size 12, Hexagon Nickel Case Pocket Watch. Keeps accurate Time
€77.86Antique c1879 elgin lever set pocket watch , large size 18c gold plate ( just serviced ) Working
€140.121917 Elgin pocket watch
€73.28Antique Elgin pocket watch with second hand made by Elgin National Watch Co.
€52.21Authentic Elgin Pocket Watch
€2,473.21Elgin Pocket Watch
€59.17Antique Elgin ladies pocket watch
€139.222 Vintage Elgin 1800's Pocket Watch Movements
€27.481913 Elgin Pocket watch
€109.92Only 1 available and it's in 1 person's cart1904 7 Jewel Elgin Pocket Watch
€247.32Beautiful Pocket Watch ~ Not Running
€54.96Vintage Elgin Pocket Watch Movement
€18.32 FREE shipping1914 Elgin Pocket Watch
€160.301916 15 Jewel Elgin Pocket Watch
€288.54Vintage Elgin pocket watch, Silveroid metal , needs repair, not running
€90.68Antique Elgin Pocket Watch, Hunters Pocket Watch, Victorian Watch, Watch Collector F698WQ54-N
€2,148.031980's Steampunk Watch Parts Gears Sprockets Springs Screw Nut Bolts Pocket Wristwatch Lucite/Epoxy Fixed Loop Vintage Belt Buckle -Von West
€59.541921 Elgin 15J Size 12 Pocket watch Keeps accurate time
€105.34Vintage Elgin Pocket Watch Serial 1124625 Not Working Needs New Crystal Used
€36.63Vintage Illinois watch case co Elgin pocket watch case part 2500750
€52.55Elgin Pocket Watch Movement 17 Jewels
€91.60Elgin Pocket Watch - Vintage 1919, Silver Tone, Not Running
€36.18Only 1 available and it's in 1 person's cart1936 Elgin Pocket Watch
€73.28Only 1 available and it's in 1 person's cartLot of 3 Antique/Vintage Pocket Watch Faces from Elgin and Crown Watch Companies
€10.031924 Elgin Size 10 Grade 444 OF Base Metal Deco Case Pocket Watch PS
€45.791906 Elgin Pocket Watch CD Peacock Dial 15J 10S 48mm
€128.24€160.30€160.30 (20% off)ELGIN POCKET WATCH
€224.42Elgin 546 Pocket Watch in Excellent working condition
€120.911912 Elgin Pocket Watch 20 Year Gold Filled Case 15J 49mm Running
€128.24€160.30€160.30 (20% off)Pocket Watch Parts Tin ~ Great Graphics ~ Elgin Watch Co.
€20.15 FREE shippingVintage Silver Elgin 15 Jewel Pocket Watch-Working
€71.45Lot of 4 Antique/Vintage Pocket Watch Faces from Elgin and Valder Watch Companies
€11.861926 Elgin Pocket Watch 18S 56mm Running
€142.90€178.62€178.62 (20% off)Steampunk Cufflinks - Elgin - Steampunkjunq
€30.18Antique 1880's Elgin Pocket Watch, Victorian Pocket Watch, Watch Collector, Anniversary Gift N597Y1MH
€5,757.08Only 1 available and it's in 1 person's cartVintage Elgin Gold Pocket Watch Wind up from 1916, 7 Jewel, Serial #15602723, has seconds Dial,Key Fob holds,29' 14kt Gold Chain, Elgin USA
€1,417.97Elgin watch,Elgin pocket watch,Elgin watch vintage,Antique pocket watch,Silver pocket watch,Antique pocket watch elgin,Vintage watch elgin
€1,322.71Steampunk brass and bronze wire wrapped pendant, Elgin pocket watch movement and Swarovski crystals OOAK
€60.00Elgin - Steampunk - Cufflinks - Cuff Links -Repurposed - Up cycled
€30.18A 1909 Art Deco Six Jeweled Elgin Pocket Watch, Grade 289, Size 6S, Not Functional/For Restoration #1859
€132.35€155.71€155.71 (15% off)1944 Elgin, WWII Military, 17J, 16S, US Ordnance Department Marking Men's Pocket Watch. Keeps accurate time
€196.94Elgin 21Jewel Pocket Watch
€111.37ON SALE Antique 19th Century Elgin Gilt Pocket Watch Partial Movements, one is G.M. Wheeler - Steampunk, Altered Art Supplies - not working
€12.461895 Elgin Pocket Watch 15J 18S 54mm Gold Filled Case
€142.90€178.62€178.62 (20% off)Vintage Pocket Watch Movement With Gears and Genuine Ruby Jewels Ideal for Assemblage, Collage, Mixed Media Craft & Art Supplies 04579
€9.16Beautiful Women's Pocket Watch ~ Runs ~ 17 Jewels ~ Odd Markings On The Face
€109.92Elgin Open Face Nickel Pocket Watch Grade 302 Size 12 15 Jewel
€123.65Only 1 available and it's in 1 person's cartHunter Elgin Pocket Watch - 7 Jewel Gold Filled Case
€73.28Fine & Rare Elgin Natl Watch Co USA Military Open Face Pocket Watch, c 1940's.
€441.7714K Gold Elgin Pocket Watch Multicolored Flowers
€1,374.00Antique Green Enamel and Gold Tone Pocket Watch Made In U.S.A
€45.79Vintage Pocket Watch Movement With Gears and Genuine Ruby Jewels Ideal for Assemblage, Collage, Mixed Media Craft & Art Supplies 04583
€9.16Pocket Watch Keys 4
€45.80Vintage Pocket Watch Movement With Gears and Genuine Ruby Jewels Ideal for Assemblage, Collage, Mixed Media Craft & Art Supplies 04578
€9.161918 Elgin Pocket Watch 17J. 12S 43mm Gold Filled Case Running
€142.90€178.62€178.62 (20% off)A Rare 19th Century Elgin 7 Jeweled Pocket Watch, Grade 211, Size 16S, Not Functioning/For Restoration, Serial#8906821, 94.73g #1850
€210.21€247.31€247.31 (15% off)1894 Model Waltham Pocket Watch - Not-Functioning/For Repair-Restoration, Serial#19782042, 63.74 grams #1845
€77.85€91.59€91.59 (15% off)Antique Elgin Hunters Case Pendant Watch For Ladies 9NH2E9-R
€2,056.43