Everyday Carry

One of the last "new" pocket watch models that Waltham would produce was the 1908, launched in that year, which was nearly identical to the Model 1899 except for the transferring of the setting lever to the 11:00 position to facilitate the wind-indicator feature, which was an add-on. The pillar plates were milled to accept that feature, even if it wasn't added on the production line at the time, and by the 1940s the gorgeous patterns on the upper plates had become simple pinstripes. This surviving example is in exceptional mechanical shape with all twenty-three of its jewels still intact and everything under the dial is present and correct, and it was just cleaned, oiled and timed back to factory specs. The painted metal dial is still in good condition with a few missing flecks of black on the characters behind matching blued hands. The Keystone base metal case is likewise in solid condition with the covers threading off easily, and was converted to display to show off this elegant movement. Matching lanyard and display stand included.

Relatively few of Elgin's full-plate lever-set Model 7s bore a number for a grade designate, instead bearing the names of those who had much to do with the company's founding such as Howard Z Culver, Benjamin W Raymond, and George M Wheeler. In fact, Wayne Schlitt's superb Elgin website lists only nine numbered grades in total for 18-size open-faced watches, including the 21-jewel adjusted-to-five-positions No 349. This exceptional example is an entirely original piece, meaning that the movement, case and dial have been together since the very first customer walked into his local jeweler's and bought it. All twenty-one jewels are in gold settings and are still intact, an increasingly rare thing in these days, and it was just disassembled and thoroughly cleaned for its next owner. It fronts a snow-white double-sunk Arabic dial and correct blued hands, and is housed in a yellow base-metal Keystone case that was converted to display to show off this impressive movement. The bow is still tight, the crown is still fairly sharp, and NOS glass on both sides completes it. Matching lanyard and display stand included.

The National Watch Co was founded in Elgin, Illinois by several prominent Chicago businessmen as the Civil War raged. Work began as soon as the new factory was completed, which would eventually turn out some 54 million watches, equaling the total output of all other American brands combined. The first 12-size models were introduced around the turn of the century, including the 17-jewel Grade 276. It was a somewhat uncommon watch with its brushed winding wheels, adjusted to positions, and a patterned metal dial, with just over 2,200 examples being made. This piece is an all-original combination of case and movement, freshly restored for the next owner and keeping excellent time. It fronts a guilloche-center metal dial with raised numerals and matching blued moon hands and is housed in an exceptional octagon base-metal case with snap covers, a sharp bow and crown, a blank shield on the back cover, and a new beveled glass crystal. Period chain with swivel snap and T-bar included.