Elgin Veritas 23 Jewel 16-size railroad pocket watch

Technical characteristics

Type

Railroad pocket watch

Dimensions

49mm wide x 13mm deep

Jewel Count

23 Jewels

Case Material

10K gold plated open face case

Place recorded

United States

Setting Mechanism

Stem wound / lever set

Maker / attribution

Elgin

Movement Inscription

Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, 23 Jewels, , Adj 5 positions

Movement Serial Number

23634418

Design

Visible features

• White double-sunk enamel dial with full Montgomery continuous minute numerals (1–60) and red five-minute marks • Bold black Arabic numerals and blued steel spade-style hands • Subordinate running seconds dial at 6 o'clock • Engraved leaf/laurel pattern bordering the front bezel • Crown positioned at 12 o'clock with a decorative open-face bow

Dial and Visual Presentation

The pocket watch features a white double-sunk enamel dial in the Montgomery style, displaying continuous minute markings from 1 to 60 with red five-minute intervals. Time is marked by bold black Arabic hour numerals and blued steel hands, with an auxiliary seconds register located at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is signed "Elgin" below the 12 o'clock marker. A mineral glass crystal covers the dial. The exterior bezel is decorated with a carved or engraved pattern along its perimeter, and the winding crown and bow are situated at the 12 o'clock position in an open-face configuration.

Reported Movement and Configuration

Internal movement components are not visible in the provided photograph, but the seller reports a 16-size, 23-jewel nickel three-quarter plate lever-escapement movement. According to the listing, the caliber includes a gold train, a gold-capped endstone, raised gold jewel settings, and a gold setting on the mainspring. The movement plate is reported to be inscribed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, 23 Jewels, , Adj 5 positions” and bears serial number 23634418. The watch utilizes a stem-wound, lever-set configuration, which is not verified by direct internal inspection in this source.

Case Specifications and Dating Discrepancy

The watch is housed in an open-face case constructed from 10K gold-plated metal, fitted with a screw-off bezel and back. Dimensions recorded by the seller are 49 mm in width by 13 mm in depth, with a smooth, plain finish on the reverse. The source provides conflicting dates, heading the listing with "c1921" while stating in the description that the watch was made by Elgin "circa 1907". Because only a single front view of the watch is supplied, case hallmarks, inner markings, and internal movement plates cannot be directly inspected.

Identification

Serial number

23634418

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.