Elgin 12S 21J adj. 8p grade 543 pocket watch #I638013 (54638013), handsome nickel split plate movement with bold red ruby jewels and a brushed finish, single sunk (SS) gold-toned metal dial with raised fancy silver Arabic numbers, silver ball 5 minute markers and a slightly depressed subsidiary seconds register marked in black, dial has some light but notable scratches and a bit of patina around some of the numbers, slender gold steel baton style hands, thin model yellow gold filled (YGF) Elgin friction fit case with a smooth polish finish, sloped bezels, a ball-style crown with small ball shoulder accents, a long fancy bow and a glass crystal, case is showing normal wear with some brass showing on the bow and a few light scratches on the back, measures approx. 43mm in diameter x 57mm in length x 9mm thick (crystal included). A high grade Elgin triple signed dress watch from the 1950s in excellent+ overall condition!
- Year Made: 1955-56
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Company:
Elgin
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Movement Size:
0712S
- Jewels: 0721J
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Setting/Movement Type:
pendant set
- Adjustments: 8 positions
- Model/Grade: 543
- Serial #: I638013
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Dial Material:
metal
- Dial Color: gold
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Hand Style:
baton - light
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Case Style:
friction fit
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Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
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Case Details:
factory case, thin model, fancy bow
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Case Width/Diameter:
43mm (1.69 inches)
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Case Length, bow included:
57mm (2.24 inches)
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Case Thickness:
9mm (0.35 inches)
- Crystal Material: glass
- Country of Origin: United States
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Condition:
Excellent +
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Gender:
Unisex
The Elgin watch company, out of Elgin, Illinois, was in business from 1864-1964, and while active, was the largest-producing American watch company, manufacturing an estimated half of all pocket watches ("dollar" watches not included). By 1956 they had produced over 55 million pocket and wrist watches.
As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for Elgin serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company; additional information may also be found on
Wikipedia.
You may browse all of our men's pocket watches from this manufacturer at our
Vintage Men's Elgin Pocket Watches category.
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of February 26th, 2026, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
This watch comes complete with an appropriate, intact glass crystal; however, on request PM Time Service can replace the current crystal on this pocket watch for you. We offer a number of new and vintage crystal choices for pocket watches; you can select your desired choice from the dropdown menu below.
Please note that the average turnaround time for all pocket watch crystal replacements will be two days from the placement of the order.
Contact us with any further questions or for an estimate on any shipping delays.
Please note: if you add this watch with a crystal and/or band exchange option to your
shopping cart but later change your mind on the crystal and/or band selection type, you'll need to remove the watch from the cart in order to make a new selection. Once that is done, you can return to this page and add that new crystal and/or band combination to the cart. We apologize for the limitations to our system that prevent you from making that change within the shopping cart.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.
