Elgin 18S 7J key wind grade 7 pocket watch #1257708, handsome gilt full plate movement with a brushed finish and geometric engravings on the balance bridge, movement does have a few small spots of discoloration which do not affect the running condition however are a notable cosmetic flaw, porcelain enamel dial with Roman numerals and a black-marked seconds register (not subsidiary) is marked "Elgin Nat'l Watch Co.", dial has a few spots of discoloration but no hairlines, blue steel spade style hands, impressive coin silver hinge back & bezel (HB&B) case with crisp engine turning across the back behind the elaborate art nouveau style floral & swirl engravings at the top and lower sections of the case, within the design is a fancy blank monogram shield, bands of engine turning on both bezels, offset hinges, an extra heavy large bow and a thick glass crystal, case is showing light normal wear with very little smoothing to the engraving and a few small shallow dents on the back bezel and a small cluster of scratches on the edge of the crystal, measures approx. 57mm in diameter x 85mm in length x 19mm thick (crystal included). An impressive early Elgin key wind watch from the 1880s in a case that will be a delight to show off in excellent+ overall condition!
- Year Made: 1884-1885
- Company:
Elgin
-
Movement Size:
0318S
- Jewels: 217J
- Setting/Movement Type:
key wind
- Model/Grade: 7
- Serial #: 1257708
- Movement Finish: gilt
- Dial Material: porcelain enamel
- Dial Details:
marked "Elgin Nat'l Watch Co."
- Hand Style:
spade
- Case Style:
HB&B
-
Case Material:
Silver - Coin
- Case Details:
extra-thick glass crystal, offset hinges
-
Case Width/Diameter:
57mm (2.24 inches)
-
Case Length, bow included:
85mm (3.35 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
19mm (0.75 inches)
- Crystal Material: glass
- Condition:
Excellent +
-
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; 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 October 2nd, 2025, 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.
Please note: an appropriate winding and setting key (or keys) is included in the listed price for this item. Unless otherwise noted in the Full Description, the key is not original to the 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.
