Elgin National Watch Co. G.M. Wheeler Grade 18-Size Pocket Watch Movement
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1875
Maker / issuer
Elgin National Watch CompanyThis antique American size 18 pocket watch movement was manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company as a G.M. Wheeler grade. The cataloguer notes a manual-wind full-plate gilt movement stamped with serial number 384140, dating production to circa 1875, alongside engravings reading 'G.
M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill.' and 'Patent Pinion'. The assembly retains its white enamel dial signed 'ELGIN NAT'L WATCH Co.' with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Lacking an outer case, crystal, and winding mechanism, the unit is presented as an uncased movement and dial assembly.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Pocket watch movement
- Grade
- G.M. Wheeler
- Maker
- Elgin National Watch Company
- Serial Number
- 384140
- Dial Signature
- ELGIN NATL WATCH Co.
- Place recorded
- United States
- Approximate Date
- circa 1875
- Movement Diameter
- 1.75 inches
- Maker / attribution
- Elgin National Watch Company
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The visible assembly features a white enamel dial bearing the uppercase signature "ELGIN NATL WATCH Co." across the upper center. The time display is configured with black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute ring detailed with diamond-shaped accents, and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock marked in ten-second intervals. Three hands are fitted to the dial post: an hour hand, a minute hand, and a subsidiary seconds hand. The auction record specifically designates these components as three blued steel hands.
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial signed 'ELGIN NAT'L WATCH Co.' • Black Roman numeral hour markers with outer minute track and diamond-shaped accents • Sunken sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals • Three hands present including hour, minute, and subsidiary seconds hands • Surface exhibits extensive specks of dust, debris, and visible crazing around the center arbor and sub-seconds register
- Condition and Incomplete Assembly
- The unit is incomplete, lacking an outer case, crystal, or winding mechanism, and measuring 1.75 inches in movement diameter. Visual inspection reveals extensive fine specks of dust, fibers, and debris resting on the dial face, alongside visible crazing and hairline fissures around the central arbor post and the subsidiary register. The reverse movement mechanism—including the balance wheel, train, and plates—is unillustrated in the cataloguing photograph. The seller reports that the movement plate shows overall tarnish, oxidation, and surface grime, with slot wear visible on several screw heads, and confirms the mechanism is entirely untested.
- Object Identity and Reported Specifications
- This object consists of an uncased American pocket watch movement and dial assembly attributed to the Elgin National Watch Company. According to the auction catalogue, the movement represents a size 18, manual-wind mechanical, full-plate gilt movement identified as a G.M. Wheeler grade. The auction description documents that the movement plate carries the stamped serial number 384140, on which an approximate production dating of circa 1875 is based. The plate is also reported to feature the engraved designations "G. M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill." and "Patent Pinion".
Identification
- Serial number
- 384140
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The rear movement plate, balance, and train are not visible in the provided image; plate engravings and serial number rely entirely on source reporting
- Research required: Sold without outer case, crystal, or winding mechanism; mechanical functionality is untested