Elgin Pocket Watches not only tell time, but also history.


Elgin pocket watches are in a class of their own due to the name's long-standing repute. Elgin National Watch Company, founded in 1864, has been producing exquisite watches worthy of being worn on a daily basis or included in prized collections. In the last 150 years, Elgin has produced almost 60 million watches.


Apart from being regarded as a lasting firm that manufactures classic timepieces, Elgin is also known for its significant role in America's mid-nineteenth-century transition from agricultural to industry. Watches were one of the earliest machines for which the public had a strong demand, therefore it was no surprise that a corporation devoted to the manufacture of watches arose to suit the public's needs.

Elgin did not begin with that name when it was created in August 1864, near the close of the Civil War. The National Watch Company was its sole name back then. When the city of Elgin, Illinois, was chosen as the site for the manufacture, it became the Elgin National Watch Company. The city of Elgin provided the corporation 35 acres of land to demonstrate the government's support for the industrial revolution, and the factory was erected in just two years.

The success of another similar company, the Waltham Watch Company, based in Massachusetts, influenced the founding of Elgin. Several former Waltham employees intended to start another watch company in the United States, this time in the Midwest. To accomplish this, they collaborated with renowned Chicago-based watchmaker JC Adams to locate inventors interested in their prospective endeavour. Benjamin Wright Raymond, then-Mayor of Chicago, was one of the team's earliest investors. Because of Raymond's political connections, they were able to attract a large number of investors.

In 1867, Elgin produced its first watch, a BW Raymond railroader's watch in size 18 with a complete plate design. The watch was named after the same-named then-Mayor of Chicago. Elgin then became known for creating high-quality yet inexpensive timepieces, owing to the use of machine-made parts that were easily serviced and replaced.

During WWII, Elgin moved its concentration from clocks to precision instruments used in the military and defence industries, although the plant remained open until 1964, when it celebrated its 100th anniversary. During this period, Elgin abandoned the production of clocks in favour of larger endeavours such as engineering construction and other activities. Elgin dropped the name 'Elgin National Watch Company' in favour of Elgin National Industries as its official title as a result of this shift.

Nonetheless, Antique elgin pocket watch  vintage elgin pocket watch are still popular today. Many people collect them since they are not only distinctive and interesting, but they are also regarded vintage goods with a lot of history. There's also something satisfyingly nostalgic about hearing an old-school watch tick tock. It has the ability to transport you to another...time.