Store 15

Watch Description

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.

Watch Specs

Manufacturer - Elgin

Serial Number - 10245249

Watch Size - 12

Watch Model - 3

Watch Grade - 276

Jewel Count - 17

Winding/Setting - Stem/Pendant

Production Year - 1904

Company History

Just What Restored Means

Restoring a watch doesn't mean to make it brand new again, which isn't possible. Nobody can remove the mileage, the scratches, and the history.

What it means is complete disassembly and cleaning, and to examine every component for defects under a 30x scope. It means making sure that every gear, every screw, every spring, everything under the dial is the correct part and operating within the tolerances set at the factory all those years ago. It means timing it in all positions as close to zero error as its escapement will allow. It means making sure the dial is the proper one for a given model and that it's cleaned well and repaired if necessary. It means that all the hands are the ones that are supposed to be there and not just any ones found in a jar. It means the case is immersed in a tank and the pendant cleaned separately, that the bow and crown are right for that brand, and a new crystal.

It means a mechanical work of art you can be proud of.

Buy Back Policy

There will come a time when you want or need to sell this watch for one of several reasons. If it's going to a fellow collector or someone who will genuinely appreciate it, then that's fine. On the other hand, if you're consigning it to an auction house or selling it to your local jeweler or gold hog it will almost certainly end up on eBay in pieces with the case melted down.

Instead of the watch being parted out for the bottom feeders to pick over, we will gladly buy the watch back from you, less 10% and the cost of a COA, plus anything else needed to return the piece to the condition in which you originally bought it.

American Timekeeper

17-jewel Model 3 Octagon Elgin w/ Metal Dial

Watch Description

Watch Specs

Just What Restored Means

The Accessories

Leather Straps

Leather Straps

Leather Straps

Display Cases

Leather Straps

Leather Straps

Buy Back Policy

The Warranty