Gold-Filled Full Hunter, Fifteen-Jewel Movement, 1912
This is a 1912 Elgin National Watch Co. pocket watch in a full hunter case, meaning both the dial and the movement are protected by spring hinged covers, and both snap open cleanly on this piece. Elgin was the largest watch manufacturer in the United States during the pocket watch era, and this example carries their Grade 395, Model 2 movement, a comparatively scarce grade with only 21,000 examples produced across its full run, well below the hundreds of thousands typical of Elgin's more common calibres.
The 15 jewel gilt movement is signed and numbered (16532709), winds smoothly, and runs consistently. The white enamel dial is pristine, with black Arabic numerals, a sub-seconds register at six o'clock, and ornate gold filigree hour and minute hands.
The case is gold filled, made by J. Boss for the Keystone Watch Case Co. and stamped with their 20 year guarantee mark. Both covers carry a fine engine-turned finish, the front cartouche is left blank and unengraved, and the hinges on both covers spring open cleanly. At 52.7mm, it has real presence in the hand.
Condition is graded Very Good: the dial is flawless, the case shows only light wear consistent with its age, and the crystal has some light surface scratches. Everything winds, sets, and runs as it should.
A genuine, ready to wear piece of early 20th century American watchmaking, and a scarcer Elgin grade than most full hunters you'll come across.
