elgin kw

[dana dawson]

could anyone tell me the s.r.# of the "first" ELGIN watch made after the name change from NATIONAL.
also the s.r.# of the "last" key wind made.

[dana dawson]

could anyone tell me the s.r.# of the "first" ELGIN watch made after the name change from NATIONAL.
also the s.r.# of the "last" key wind made.

[John F]

I believe the changeover came somewhere around 250,000 or thereabouts, although this is probably an unanswerable question, due at least in part to switched dials - e.g., for either a then-contemporary repair of a damaged dial, or a later switch for other purposes, etc.

I have seen many pre-1874 era watches with later "Elgin Natl" dials, that are clearly later replacements, probably of damaged "National" dials. Conversely, I possess an 1875 GM Wheeler which should have an "Elgin Natl." dial, but instead has a "National" dial. It otherwise appears to be all original , came from an old estsate, and the movement and dial were equally dirty when I acquired the watch. I suspect that many years ago the original "Elgin Natl." dial was damaged and replaced with an old "National" dial that a jeweler had in stock. I would be surprised if it left the factory that way.

I am unaware of any records that would establish a firm SN for the changeover from "National" to "Elgin."

[dana dawson]

thanks John!

[jwdavis]

To add to what John has posted, the company changed the name from National Watch Co. to Elgin National Watch Co. on May 12th, 1874. This is according to Mike Alft and Bill Briska, authors of Elgin Time: A History of the Elgin National Watch Co.

According to some databases, 1874 serial numbers ranged from 211000 to 310000. If you accept that information then John's estimate is pretty close.

Jack Davis
nawcc #0155192