First pocket watch!

[Railman]

Hey everyone! This is my first post and my first pocket watch! I've owned a few wrist watches over the years but never any pocket watches. This one on eBay really caught my eye and I went for it. The watch just came back from service and it's running great! I've fitted it to a lovely Simmons chain that I bought separately. I couldn't be happier with it!

 

[Marty101]

Congrats friend-my first was an Elgin too...but not a bridge movement! Those are one of my favorites. Those plates and so dolled up I can't read the serial number!
Can you give it to us? We can give you a lot more data.

 

[Railman]

Congrats friend-my first was an Elgin too...but not a bridge movement! Those are one of my favorites. Those plates and so dolled up I can't read the serial number!
Can you give it to us? We can give you a lot more data.

Thanks! The serial number is 9860285

 

[geo.ulrich]

A very nice pick, enjoy it.

 

[musicguy]

Railman Welcome to the American Pocket Watch Forum of the NAWCC
Elgin Pocket Watch: Serial Number 9860285



Rob

 

[James Wrobel]

Very nice. I think Elgin is a good first watch because they are affordable and repairable.
jjw

 

[Appa69]

Love 3 finger Elgins. Nice watch!

 

[Kent]

Hi Railman:

Please add my welcome to Rob's.

You have a very nice watch! Although you didn't request information, here's what I know about your fine watch.

Please excuse me if I repeat some of what you already know, it's easier for me this way. Checking the references listed in the Elgin Watch Co. Encyclopedia article (and looking at your pictures), Elgin movement serial number 9,860,285 can be seen to be
a 16-size,
model 9,
grade No. 270,
Adjusted to Temperature, Positions and Isochronism,
lever-set,
open-face movement,
having 21 jewels,
and a Traveling Nut Patent Regulator.
The movement is fitted with a double-sunk, Arabic dial having a R5MT (Red 5 Minute Track).
It was built in about 1902, give or take a year or so. This was a popular movement of which 8,550 of this variation were made.

You can see a catalog description of the No. 270 grade, along with a picture and where it fits in Elgin's line of 16-size movements, on page 74 of the Otto Young & Co. 1903 OY Company Jewelry Catalog (below).

Your Watch Case is gold-filled and was made by the Star Watch Case Co.

Your watch is a railroad watch, one that was widely accepted into railroad time service at the time it was built.

Unless you know that it has been properly cleaned and oiled within the last few years, you should have the watch serviced before running it very much. It may be helpful for you to read the Encyclopedia article on Watch Service and its related links, especially the one to the message board thread on the subject. The Encyclopedia article on Choosing a Pocket Watch Repair Person may be useful as well.

Unfortunately, many of the links in our Encyclopedia articles were disrupted when we changed to the current version of our Message Board and its been a long process getting them all reinstated. So, if you come across a broken link, please report it here.

Please feel free to ask about anything that isn't clear to you.

Good luck,

 

[John Cote]

Welcome and thanks for posting pictures of your really nice Elgin 16 size grade 270. You hit a home run...or at least a triple with your first watch. These are very good looking and very high grade watches. They are sort of hidden gems. You have a good eye...please keep it up.

 

[DTSPatrick]

Hey everyone! This is my first post and my first pocket watch! I've owned a few wrist watches over the years but never any pocket watches. This one on eBay really caught my eye and I went for it. The watch just came back from service and it's running great! I've fitted it to a lovely Simmons chain that I bought separately. I couldn't be happier with it!



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Congratulations

 

[DeeK]

A beautiful first watch. Congratulations!

 

[Jnevill]

I still remember my first, like it was yesterday. Yard sale, with my wife, there it was - a 16s Illinois for $50. That was probably 30 years ago or so. I eventually had to sell it to pay bills, but it’s ok - during that pandemic thing i taught myself to disassemble, clean, and reassemble my own pocket watches. Now I have +150, 36 pf which are railroad grade.

 

[musicguy]

Now I have +150, 36 pf which are railroad grade.

Now we need to see some photos



Rob

 

[Clint Geller]

Congratulations, Railman, and welcome to the forum. You picked a beautiful first watch.