Gentlemen's Watches

Elgin's 12-size Grade 479 was a fairly common one, produced at a time when pocket watches were becoming much slimmer and with movement patterns growing plain, while the emphasis shifted to the most obvious component - the dial. This example was produced the year before the Great Depression, so it has plenty of stories to tell. It was just thoroughly cleaned and timed for the next owner, and all of its seventeen jewels are still intact, a fairly rare thing now. Deeply blued hands front a somewhat battered metal Art-Deco dial, but mileage counts in pieces like this. The best part is the rare harp case, and I'm not sure of the name, since I only heard the term once, and that was years ago. It certainly is unusual, with the top half of the outer case swinging backwards on a hinge to allow the crown to pop up for setting the time, because it can't be done with the rigid bow in place. It also creates a handy kickstand for when it's sitting on your desk. The crown is sharp, the rear cover is blank, and the crystal is new glass.

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.