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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch

1905 Elgin Grade 289 Hunter Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the source, this 1905 Elgin hunter case pocket watch features a size 6s mechanical movement, Grade 289, Model 2, Class 115, fitted with 7 jewels and a safety pinion. Housed in a yellow gold-filled hunter case measuring 42.7 mm in diameter manufactured by Keystone Watch Case with a double-hinged back cuvette, the watch displays a white dial signed 'ELGIN' with black Roman numerals, peripheral red Arabic five-minute numerals, matching blue steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of an open gold-filled Elgin hunter case pocket watch resting on a clear stand
Front view of an open gold-filled Elgin hunter case pocket watch resting on a clear stand — Second Hand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 289, Model 2, Class 115
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-4030
Source-reported date
1905
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
11960069

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Presentation

Direct visual observation reveals an open yellow gold-toned hunter case with the front lid hinged near 9 o'clock, exposing a white dial signed 'ELGIN'. The dial features black Roman hour numerals encircled by an outer minute track punctuated by red Arabic five-minute numerals, accompanied by dark blued steel spade-style hands and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

The bezel surrounding the crystal is ornamented with a coin-edge or beaded pattern relief. The winding crown and bow assembly are oriented at the 3 o'clock position relative to the dial face, corresponding to traditional hunter case layouts.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial signed 'ELGIN' with black Roman hour numerals, outer minute markings with red Arabic five-minute numbers, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Dark blued steel spade-style hands.”
  • “Coin-edge or beaded pattern detailing around the bezel rim.”
  • “Crown and bow situated at 3 o'clock relative to the dial orientation.”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

According to the seller's description, the watch contains a manual wind mechanical movement manufactured in the U.S.A. by Elgin Watch Co., identified as Grade 289, Model 2, Class 115, in size 6s. The movement is reported to have 7 jewels, an unadjusted rating, and a safety pinion.

The merchant transcribes the movement engraving as "Elgin Natl Watch Co. Safety Pinion 7 Jewels U.S.A. 11960069" and dates the timepiece to 1905. Because the provided visual record displays only the front dial face, the movement plates, layout, and stated inscriptions are not recorded in the visible photograph and rely entirely on vendor claims.

Evidence for this section
  • “mechanical movement, grade 289, 7 Jewels,  model 2, 6s, class 115, unadjusted, sub second hand, made in U.S.A.”
  • “Elgin Natl Watch Co. Safety Pinion 7 Jewels U.S.A. 11960069”
  • “A vintage Elgin dress hunter case pocket watch dated from 1905.”

Case Construction and Documentation Limits

The case is listed as a yellow gold-filled hunter case measuring 42.7 mm in diameter, 53 mm including the crown, and 11.4 mm in thickness. The vendor notes a fancy engraved exterior design and a double-hinged back cuvette carrying the mark "KEYSTONE Watch Case 7127657".

The provided photograph shows only the open front dial view supported on an external acrylic stand. Consequently, the case back engravings, inner cuvette hinges, and Keystone markings cannot be independently confirmed from the image alone.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a 42.7mm round hunter case with fancy engraved design and double hinged back (cuvette), all in yellow gold filled.”
  • “KEYSTONE Watch Case 7127657”
  • “Case 42.7”
  • “Case with Crown 53”
  • “Case Thickness 11.4”

Open research questions

  • Does internal inspection of the case back and cuvette confirm the recorded 'KEYSTONE Watch Case 7127657' stamp?
  • Does direct examination of the movement verify the serial number 11960069, Grade 289 layout, and 7 jewel count?
  • What specific engraved pattern or motif is present on the exterior front and rear covers of the hunter case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1905 Elgin Grade 289 Hunter Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement InscriptionElgin Natl Watch Co. Safety Pinion 7 Jewels U.S.A. 11960069“Elgin Natl Watch Co. Safety Pinion 7 Jewels U.S.A. 11960069”
Case InscriptionKEYSTONE Watch Case 7127657“KEYSTONE Watch Case 7127657”
Case Diameter42.7 mm“Case 42.7”
Jewel Count7 Jewels“7 Jewels”
Case Thickness11.4 mm“Case Thickness 11.4”
Case Width with Crown53 mm“Case with Crown 53”
Movement Adjustment StatusUnadjusted“unadjusted”

Visible details

  • Open yellow gold-toned hunter case front cover hinged near 9 o'clock revealing the dial.
  • White dial signed 'ELGIN' with black Roman hour numerals, outer minute markings with red Arabic five-minute numbers, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
  • Dark blued steel spade-style hands.
  • Coin-edge or beaded pattern detailing around the bezel rim.
  • Crown and bow situated at 3 o'clock relative to the dial orientation.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and inner case markings are not directly visible in the photograph and rely entirely on source reporting.
  • The acrylic display stand is external and not part of the horological object.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

1905 ELGIN Dress Pocket Watch Hunter Case 6s Grade 289 7 Jewels Engrav – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record eeeb38b576

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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