Elgin 16S 17J adj. 3p G.M. Wheeler grade 337 pocket watch #12005771, YGF fully engraved HC

Elgin 16S 17J adj. 3p G.M. Wheeler grade 337 pocket watch #12005771, YGF fully engraved HC

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PM2998: Thank you for your interest! This item has been sold as of 10/21.
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Elgin 16S 17J adj. 3p G.M. Wheeler grade 337 pocket watch #12005771, beautiful 3-finger bridge nickel movement with screw-down jewel settings and a bar-style damascene pattern, mint double-sunk (DS) porcelain enamel dial with fancy Arabic-style numbers, red 5 minute markers, a subsidiary seconds register and the jewelers' mark "Chapman & Armstrong Galesburg, Ill", blue steel spade-style hands, re-cased into an outstanding yellow gold filled (YGF) fully engraved hunting case (HC) with tight, crisp engine turning behind the large elaborate floral designs on both covers, one cover has a fancy blank monogram shield while the reverse side has a small engraving of a building in the woods, vermicelli-pattern engraving on the frame, glass crystal and large bow, case is showing hardly any wear with the exception of one shallow scratch near the hinge on one cover and a small patch of brass on the interior of the bow (likely from wear against a chain swivel, display dome hook, etc.), measures approx. 51mm in diameter x 73mm in length x 13mm thick. A high quality vintage Elgin in a case that must be seen to be truly appreciated in near-mint condition overall!
  • Year Made: 1906-1907
  • Company: Elgin
  • Movement Size: 0416S
  • Jewels: 1117J
  • Setting/Movement Type: pendant set
  • Adjustments: 1-3 positions
  • Model/Grade: G.M. Wheeler grade 337
  • Serial #: 12005771
  • Movement Finish: nickel
  • Movement Details: 3-finger bridge layout
  • Dial Material: porcelain enamel
  • Dial Details: jewelers' mark "Chapman & Armstrong Galesburg, Illquot;
  • Hand Style: spade
  • Case Style: HC
  • Case Material: Gold Filled - Yellow
  • Case Details: re-cased
  • Case Width/Diameter: 51mm (2.01 inches)
  • Case Length, bow included: 73mm (2.87 inches)
  • Case Thickness: 13mm (0.51 inches)
  • Crystal Material: glass
  • Condition: Near Mint
  • Gender: Gentlemen's
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.
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 October 26th, 2021, 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 exchange option to your shopping cart but later change your mind on the crystal selection type, you'll need to remove the watch from the cart in order to make a new crystal selection. Once that is done, you can return to this page and add that new combination to the cart. We apologize for the limitations to our system that prevent you making that change from the shopping cart directly.

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 additional information on gold colors and how they are classified, please check out this helpful Wikipedia article.

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
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We process a very large number of watches and accessories each year for sale via our web site, 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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