Elgin 12S 7J grade 303 pocket watch #29620030, WBM case w/ a Butler finish, Masonic compass emblem

Elgin 12S 7J grade 303 pocket watch #29620030, WBM case w/ a Butler finish, Masonic compass emblem

Your Price:
$225.00
PM2932: Thank you for your interest! This item has been sold as of 12/23.
  • Description
  • Store Policies

  • Full Description
  • Item Specifics
  • Company Info
  • Running Condition
  • Logo Info
  • How To Wear & Use
  • Additional Info
  • Gift Info
Elgin 12S 7J grade 303 pocket watch #29620030, attractive nickel split-plate movement with a fancy concentric circle damascene pattern, porcelain enamel dial with roman numerals, red 5 minute markers and a subsidiary seconds register has a detailed gold Masonic compass emblem on the left side of the dial, dial does have some faint hairlines, black steel double cross-bar diamond-style hands, heavy white base metal (WBM) friction-fit case with a Butler finish on the back cover and a fancy bow, case is showing normal even wear overall but does have a few minor scratches to the Butler finish and on the frame near the front bezel lip, measures approx. 44mm in diameter x 53mm in length x 11mm thick (crystal included). A simple, elegant vintage Masonic-themed watch from the 1920s in excellent condition!
  • Year Made: 1927-1928
  • Company: Elgin
  • Movement Size: 0712S
  • Jewels: 217J
  • Setting/Movement Type: pendant set
  • Model/Grade: 303
  • Serial #: 29620030
  • Movement Finish: nickel
  • Dial Material: porcelain enamel
  • Dial Details: Masonic emblem
  • Hand Style: diamond - double cross-bar
  • Case Style: friction fit
  • Case Material: Base Metal - Silver/White
  • Case Details: Butler finish
  • Case Width/Diameter: 44mm (1.73 inches)
  • Case Length, bow included:  53mm (2.09 inches)
  • Case Thickness:  11mm (0.43 inches)
  • Crystal Material: plastic
  • Condition: Excellent
  • 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 March 19th, 2024, 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.
With the notable exception of the Masonic watches produced by the Dudley Watch Company (1920-1925), the Mason, Knights of Columbus and other logos would have been commissioned through a professional dial company after they left the factory to have the logo applied. For instance, all the members of a particular chapter may have received a specific watch when they were initiated or may have elected to have an emblem added to their own personal watch to commemorate an important date or milestone.

If you are interested in this watch without the current advertising dial, please drop us a note. On wrist watches, we can give you a quote on what the current charge to re-finish the dial would be (typically it will run $35 to $75 depending on the dial style). On American-make pocket watches, we may have a replacement dial in stock and could exchange the current dial with an unmarked dial for a small fee. Most European-make watches would need to have the dial refinished to remove the emblem.
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 a comprehensive article detailing the rise of Fraternal Societies during the late 1800s, please check out this informative article from The Detroit News.
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.

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  • Understanding Our Descriptions
  • Return Policy
  • Payment & Shipping
We process a very large number of watches and accessories each year for sale via our website, eBay and local avenues. We attempt to offer descriptions and photos that are as complete and clear as possible on each item, and we always encourage you to write us with questions if something is not addressed in the description!

In each description, we attempt to note the following things:
<maker><size><jewels><setting><adjustments><grade/model><serial number>, <movement information>, <dial information>, <hand information>, <case information>, <misc. information>, <overall condition and comments>

Taking an example of a watch already described, we've bracketed the different sections and ordered them as above:
<Ball-Hamilton> <16S> <21J> <LS> <adj.> <Official RR Standard> <#B651197>, <nickel movement with gold jewel settings and concentric circle damascene pattern, should be noted that the gears on the movement may not be all original however watch is running strong and not affecting running condition>, <porcelain Ball marked dial with Arabic numbers has very faint hairline (not distracting)>, <blue steel hands>, <beautiful YGF SB&B Ball marked case with engraved bezels and blank monogram shield showing normal even wear (no brass)>, <fancy bow>. <High grade Ball watch in very good condition, perfect to carry everyday!>

We also provide a List of Abbreviations that we use in our descriptions, as well as a Pocket Watch Sizing Chart that explains numerically and graphically the various sizes of pocket watches that we offer.
We offer a 30-day return period beginning the day you receive your items for all PM Time Service merchandise. To receive a full refund, the item must be return in "as shipped" condition, with no new personalized engravings or end-user adaptions. Items damaged in transit will be eligible for the full refund pending the application of the insurance claim on the damaged watch or item. Please see our Shipping & Return Policy page for full details.
Holiday & Vacation Dates - Unless otherwise noted on our holiday page, you can expect an order placed to be processed and shipped out within 2-3 business days, often much sooner. If you need an item quickly, please do double check our holiday page to make sure we will be in the office!

Please use the "Estimate Your Shipping" button on the Shopping Basket page to get a specific quote on your current shipping fees. The estimate will be available once you have added at least one (1) item to your shopping cart.

In order to provide a fair and secure shipping experience for our customers, and protect your valuable purchases, we include full insurance for the total value of your order with all items purchased. At this time, we do not allow for a customer to opt-out of insurance on their shipments. Details may be found at our Shipping, Insurance, & Return Policy page.

We are happy to accept credit cards and PayPal, as well as checks and money orders, for payment on all orders.

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