Full Hunter with a Scene-and-Scroll Engraved Case, 1893
This is a gold-filled full hunter pocket watch by the Elgin National Watch Company, one of America's most prolific and respected makers. The movement serial, 4726507, dates it precisely to 1893. It carries Elgin's Grade 117 calibre: a 6-size, 7-jewel, gilt-finished movement with the company's patented Safety Pinion, signed 'Elgin Nat'l Watch Co.' across the plate.
The appeal here is the case. Both covers are engraved with a cottage-and-landscape scene framed by flowing foliate scrollwork, and the work remains crisp with very little of the wear these soft gold-filled cases usually show. Few survive in this state. The front cover opens to a clean white enamel dial, signed Elgin, with black Arabic numerals, a red-and-black outer minute track and a sunk sub-seconds register at six. The dial shows no visible chips or hairlines.
At 41.6mm it is a small watch, the collectable 6-size that was worn as a lady's pendant or pocket piece and treated as jewellery in its own right. These are becoming harder to find, particularly with the case this well preserved.
Honestly stated: the watch winds smoothly and runs, but the hand-setting is currently unreliable and would benefit from a service to bring it back to full working order. Everything else, dial, case, crystal and movement, presents beautifully. Priced accordingly, and a straightforward job for a competent watchmaker.
A genuine 1893 American hunter in exceptional cosmetic condition, sold ready to display and easy to return to full function.
