Elgin 16S 15J lever set (LS) adj. grade 85 pocket watch #700731, handsome gilt 3-finger bridge layout movement with a brushed finish and an engraved balance bridge, this model had an interchangeable configuration to use as either open face or hunting case and the time set lever here is at 4:30, single sunk (SS) porcelain enamel dial with Roman numerals, black minute markers and a black-marked subsidiary seconds register has a faint hairline, purple steel moon-style hands, heavy fully engraved yellow gold filled (YGF) hinge back & bezel (HB&B) case with elaborate filigree and geometric engraved designs on the back cover around an elaborate center design of two men pulling a boat onto shore with mountains in the background, vermicelli engraving on the bezels, fancy coin edge & beaded engraving on the frame, a large heavy bow and an extra thick glass crystal, case is showing normal even wear with some smoothing to the engraving on the back, a small depression on the back cover at 8 o'clock and a few spots of brass starting to show on the upper frame & pendant, measures approx. 51mm in diameter x 75mm in length x 18mm thick (crystal included). A high quality vintage Elgin from the 1880s that was considered railroad grade at the time of its production in excellent overall condition!
- Year Made: 1880-1881
- Company:
Elgin
-
Movement Size:
0516S
- Jewels: 1315J
- Setting/Movement Type:
lever set
- Adjustments: 1-3 positions
- Model/Grade: 85
- Serial #: 700731
- Movement Finish: gilt
- Movement Details: 3-finger bridge layout, interchangeable configuration
- Dial Material: porcelain enamel
- Hand Style:
moon - standard
- Case Style:
HB&B
-
Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
- Case Details:
extra-thick glass crystal
-
Case Width/Diameter:
51mm (2.01 inches)
-
Case Length, bow included:
75mm (2.95 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
18mm (0.71 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 3rd, 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.
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.
