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American Timekeeper

American Timekeeper American Timekeeper American Timekeeper
Home
Services
  • Cleaning
  • Appraisals
  • Restoration
  • Verge Fusees
  • Display Only
  • Modern Cases
Shop
  • The Store
  • Sold Archives
  • The Accessories
  • Parts and Projects
FAQs
Learn
  • Basics
  • Dials
  • Jewels
  • Pitfalls
  • Histories
  • Accuracy
  • Advanced
About
Buying
Contact
More
  • Home
  • Services
    • Cleaning
    • Appraisals
    • Restoration
    • Verge Fusees
    • Display Only
    • Modern Cases
  • Shop
    • The Store
    • Sold Archives
    • The Accessories
    • Parts and Projects
  • FAQs
  • Learn
    • Basics
    • Dials
    • Jewels
    • Pitfalls
    • Histories
    • Accuracy
    • Advanced
  • About
  • Buying
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Services
    • Cleaning
    • Appraisals
    • Restoration
    • Verge Fusees
    • Display Only
    • Modern Cases
  • Shop
    • The Store
    • Sold Archives
    • The Accessories
    • Parts and Projects
  • FAQs
  • Learn
    • Basics
    • Dials
    • Jewels
    • Pitfalls
    • Histories
    • Accuracy
    • Advanced
  • About
  • Buying
  • Contact

Uncommon 16-size 15-jewel Model 5 Elgin

$749.00
Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

Most people can't conceive of using anything but their phone for telling the time any more, which will make you the center of attention when you pull out this 130-year-old mechanical work of art in its display case at the next wedding or graduation. The best part? Knowing that your watch will be running long after their phone gets buried in a landfill. 


Shipped FREE anywhere in America.

5% discount if paying by check. Contact us for details.

Watch Description

Elgin's 16-size Model 5 debuted in 1887 and was fairly uncommon; the factory did not make them for very long, since it was quickly superseded by the Model 7. The production totals are striking, with millions of the Model 7 being turned out in all jewel counts, compared to just a little over 10,000 for the Model 5, with no real difference in the gear trains or setting mechanisms. This example is perfect for everyday carry - freshly cleaned, oiled and timed for its next owner. It comes with fifteen jewels that are still intact and original in their gold settings, and a full set of conical blued hardware on very clean plates that have the Elgin signature in Gothic script. The Roman dial has the full cursive factory signature and is original, with a single light hairline through the seconds bit behind blued moon hands. The nickel Philadelphia Silverode case is in excellent shape with the usual light scuffs from 130 years of service. It was converted to display to show off the movement with NOS glass, and has a sharp crown and an unusual tricorn bow that is nice and snug. Matching lanyard and display stand are included.  

Watch Specs

Manufacturer - Elgin

Serial Number - 4578811

Watch Size - 16

Watch Model - 5

Watch Grade - 108

Jewel Count - 15

Winding/Setting - Stem/Pendant

Production Year - 1891

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.

The Accessories

Display Domes

Display Domes

Display Domes

 A perfect way to show off your family heirloom is under a 3x4-inch glass display dome with a walnut base on your mantel, protected from dust and out of harm's way but visible for everyone to admire.

Show It Off

Display Cases

Display Domes

Display Domes

Safely store or display your favorite pieces in a custom wooden cabinet, designed and built to your specifications in your choice of domestic species, finishes, hardware and lighting packages.

Keep It Safe

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.

Contact Us

The Warranty

You're Covered

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Restoration Highlights

One of Illinois's rarest watches was the 23-jewel Washington Lafayette. Only 190 were ever made.

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