Elgin Railroad Grade No. 349 "Father Time" 18s Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1905
This Elgin open-face pocket watch is dated by the source to 1905 and features an 18-size, 21-jewel manual-wind movement recorded as Grade 349, also known as the Father Time.
The lever-set movement operates at 18,000 beats per hour and is source-reported as adjusted to five positions, isochronism, and temperature. It is housed in a 54.5 mm yellow gold-filled Fahys case stamped Guaranteed 20 Years. The white ceramic double-sunk dial features Arabic hour numerals, red five-minute markers, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
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
- Size
- 18s
- Type
- Open-face railroad pocket watch
- Maker
- Elgin National Watch Co.
- Jewel Count
- 21 jewels
- Movement Grade
- 349
- Place recorded
- United States
- Case Specifications
- 54.5mm Fahys yellow gold-filled
- Maker / attribution
- Elgin National Watch Co.
- Movement Serial Number
- 11819339
Design
- Visible features
- • Open-face yellow-gold-tone case with top bow and fluted crown • Double-sunk white dial with bold Arabic numerals and outer red five-minute markers • Blued steel spade hands and subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position • Attached watch chain with circular fob partially visible below the display stand
- Dial and Visible Appearance
- The pocket watch displays an open-face configuration with a top bow and fluted crown. The white dial exhibits a double-sunk construction with bold black Arabic hour numerals, outer red minute markers, and blued steel hands. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, and the Elgin name appears below 12 o'clock. An attached watch chain featuring a circular engraved fob is visible below the watch display stand in the primary photograph.
- Reported Movement and Technical Specifications
- The movement is catalogued by the seller as an Elgin National Watch Co. 18s manual-wind mechanism, Grade 349 (referred to as "Father Time"), serial number 11819339. The vendor lists it as a lever-set, 21-jewel caliber operating at 18,000 bph, adjusted to five positions, isochronism, and temperature. The vendor notes the caliber as 'model 7, class 65' and states that Grade 349 was produced from 1904 through 1911. Because internal movement surfaces are not shown in the available photograph, these technical details and the serial number rely entirely on the source's transcription.
- Case Construction and Vendor Reported Condition
- The watch is housed in a 54.5 mm round Fahys case described as yellow gold-filled and stamped 'Guaranteed 20 Years.' While the front bezel and crystal are visible, the reverse is not shown in the photograph. The seller reports substantial wear to the exterior, stating that 'much of the gold fill has disappeared from the back.' The listing attributes this wear to the piece having been 'carried daily by two generations of men from the same family,' though this provenance is an unverified vendor narrative.
Identification
- Reference
- Grade 349
- Serial number
- 11819339
- 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: Internal movement caliber, adjustments, and movement serial number 11819339 are not visible in the front photograph and rely on source description
- Research required: Source notes loss of gold fill on the case back, which is obscured from view