1918 Elgin Rare 6 Size

Creator: Elgin
Case Material: Other
Strap Material: Leather
Case Shape: Round
Movement: Manual Wind
Case Dimensions: Height: 0.4 in (10 mm) Width: 1.58 in (40 mm) Diameter: 1.58 in (40 mm)
Style: Art Deco
Place of Origin: United States
Period: 1910-1919
Date of Manufacture: 1918
Condition: Good Repaired: Complete Comprehensive Mechanical Cleaning. Replacements made: Dial and Hands were professionally refinished. Case was hand polished NOS crystal New open ended leather watch band. Polished.


My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world-famous director.
They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920?s. What an honor for Vintage Watch Corner. I will share one Actor name, Robert Di Niro. This offering would of been perfect for the movie, it was not available at the time of the movies filming.
As of three weeks ago I was picked up for another movie that was originally made in 1936, they are doing a remake. I am supplying the watches for that movie.
Everyone once and awhile I get a treasure. This offering is originates from 1918, yes, that is correct 1918. There are several distinct characteristics that make this a real treasure to collect, keep reading if you are curious.
The watches size is the special attribute. It is very hard to find 6 size wrist watches from the WW1 / Trench watch era.
A genuine Bold Military dial that has been professionally refinished to its original status; this is the highlight of this listing. Luminous material has been applied. Don?t wait! Very hard to find an original WW1 Dial!
This offering is super hard to find. You could wait years before another one comes up for sale. Take close notes, save the pictures, it will be a long time before you see another one. NOTE:
To have a 6 size with a genuine WW1 / Trench watch dial is extraordinary. They are very difficult to find. This is the first one in about 10 years! For collectors who are reading this listing, they know how hard it is to find one in pristine condition. Let alone one with a higher caliber movement, 15 Jewels.
The case measures approximately 40MM, unheard of during this era! Very Very Rare! I have gently hand polished this case with Simichrome, it is a polish that does wonders for silver, nickel, oresilver, silveroid etc.
This watch was serviced November 2023. It runs beautifully as of this listing., It has a new crystal installed as well, I finished the watch with a 18MM black ?Buffalo? leather open ended Trench Watch band with a stainless-steel buckle to match the case
Please keep in mind the watches that are 100+ years young do not keep time like modern watches. The do not have modern seals to acts a s a dust or moisture barrier.
Look at the pictures to compare against another watch. One has to know a bit of background to understand Trench / Wire Lug watches
History about Trench Watches
What is a ?Trench Watch??
They were created using 3/0 and 0 size and very rarely 6 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases (as described below) to house the movement.
So, the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection.
The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, Philadelphia, Fays etc and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900?s.
The movements often came from women pocket watches because the wristwatch as we know was just being discovered. It is not uncommon to see various movements used in different cases, with various years. Remember the wristwatch was just being developed.
They often have some of the following characteristics:
Fixed or Wire Lug, some rare style have Swing Lugs: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today?s watches.
Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver {925} / Nickel / Silverode or Gold Filled were used. {This case lid snaps snug on the case. This is important to note as many cases were badly damaged by their owners over the past 100 years. This watch case has been taken care of throughout its 100 years, it is in remarkable shape}
*For more practical purposes, a special alloy was developed which went by several different names, such as, ?Silveroid, Silverore, Silverode or Silverine. ?Silveroid? appears to have become the standard name for this metal that consisted of 45% nickel, 54% copper and 1% manganese. This metal was fairly hard wearing and could withstand the rigors of everyday use, for instance on the Railroads.
Case Manufactures: There were many case manufacturers that made cases for Trench Watches. Some of the more well know were: Dennison (English Manufacturer) Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more
WW1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches.
Grade: 295
Manufacturer:Elgin

Manufacturer Location:Elgin, Illinois
Movement Serial Number:20427929
Grade: 295
Model: 2
Class:115
Estimated Production Year:1918

Run Quantity:2,000
Total Production:210,000
Size:6 size
Jewels:15 Jewel
Movement Configuration:Hunting
Movement Finish:Nickel
Movement Setting:Pendant
Plate:3/4 Plate

Barrel:Going
Train:Quick

Regulator:Plain

Hairspring:Breguet
Escapement Type:Straight-line
Adjusted:No

Railroad Grade:No

U.S. Patents:77078

Data Research:1904 Elgin Serial List

See Description