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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

1908 Elgin Grade 291 16s Open-Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a white single-sunk dial signed 'ELGIN' with black Arabic hour numerals, red outer five-minute numerals, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at six o'clock. The movement is pendant-set within an Emperor Base Metal case showing an engraved patterned bezel. According to the auction catalog, the watch contains an Elgin National Watch Company 16-size Grade 291, Model 7, Class 110 nickel 3/4-plate movement dating to 1908 with movement serial number 13409794, 7 jewels, quick train, and a Breguet hairspring.

Dial and front bezel of the 1908 Elgin Grade 291 open-face pocket watch
Dial and front bezel of the 1908 Elgin Grade 291 open-face pocket watch — Sphere Auctions LLC. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 291, Model 7, Class 110
Catalogue / lot identifier
0194
Source-reported date
1908
Source-reported place
USA
Source-reported serial
13409794

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 Hands

The timepiece features a white single-sunk dial bearing the maker signature 'ELGIN'. The dial layout presents black Arabic numerals for the hours and an outer peripheral track marked with red Arabic five-minute numerals. An inset subsidiary seconds register is positioned at the 6 o'clock location.

Time is marked by blued spade and whip hands. Direct visual inspection shows the dial arranged in an open-face configuration with the crown and pendant aligned above the 12 o'clock marker.

Evidence for this section
  • “White single-sunk dial signed 'ELGIN' in uppercase sans-serif lettering”
  • “Black Arabic hour numerals with red Arabic five-minute markers along the outer periphery”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position”
  • “Hands: Blued spade & whip hands”

Case Construction and Exterior

The watch is housed in an open-face case documented by the auction source as a 16-size 'Emperor Base Metal' housing. Visible exterior features include a silver-tone metal case body complemented by a contrasting gold-tone winding crown and bow.

A decorative patterned engraving runs along the circumference of the front bezel. The seller reports case serial number 779060, though internal case markings cannot be confirmed from the single exterior front photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Size: 16 size”
  • “Case: Emperor Base Metal, serial 779060”
  • “Decorative patterned engraving along the front bezel”
  • “Silver-tone case with a gold-tone winding crown and attached bow”

Reported Movement and Internal Specifications

According to catalog details, the movement is an Elgin National Watch Co. 16-size Grade 291, Model 7, Class 110 mechanism dating to 1908. It is cataloged with serial number 13409794, 7 jewels, a quick train, a plain regulator, and a Breguet hairspring.

The listing further specifies a 3/4-plate nickel layout with spiral damaskeening and pendant-setting operation. The seller describes the watch as 'running and keeping time,' but as the movement is not depicted in the provided photograph, internal mechanical specifications and operational condition remain strictly source-reported.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brand: Elgin National Watch Co.”
  • “Grade: 291”
  • “Model: 7”
  • “Class: 110”
  • “Serial Number: 13409794”
  • “Production Year: 1908”
  • “featuring the desirable 3/4-plate nickel movement with spiral damaskeening, 7 jewels, quick train, and Breguet hairspring”
  • “Setting: Pendant-set”
  • “Regulator: Plain”
  • “Train: Quick train”

Open research questions

  • Does direct visual inspection of the movement plate confirm the serial number 13409794, Grade 291 markings, and damaskeened nickel finish?
  • Does the interior case back show 'Emperor Base Metal' trademarks or maker stamps corresponding to serial number 779060?
  • Are any cracks or repair marks present on the enamel dial surface upon magnification?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1908 Elgin Grade 291 16s Open-Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
BrandElgin National Watch Co.“Brand: Elgin National Watch Co.”
Grade291“Grade: 291”
Movement Serial Number13409794“Serial Number: 13409794”
Production Year1908“Production Year: 1908”
Case Size16 size“Case Size: 16 size”
Jewels7 jewels“Jewels: 7 jewels”
CaseEmperor Base Metal, serial 779060“Case: Emperor Base Metal, serial 779060”
Model7“Model: 7”
Class110“Class: 110”
Movement Plate Style3/4-plate nickel with spiral damaskeening“Movement Type: 3/4-plate nickel”
Setting MechanismPendant-set“Setting: Pendant-set”
RegulatorPlain“Regulator: Plain”
TrainQuick train“Train: Quick train”

Visible details

  • White single-sunk dial signed 'ELGIN' in uppercase sans-serif lettering
  • Black Arabic hour numerals with red Arabic five-minute markers along the outer periphery
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position
  • Blued spade and whip hands
  • Decorative patterned engraving along the front bezel
  • Silver-tone case with a gold-tone winding crown and attached bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement details, plate finish, and internal serial numbers are source-reported and not visible in the provided exterior photograph
  • Case serial number 779060 is source-reported from the closed case

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

Consulted source

1908 Elgin Grade 291 16s 7j Nickel 3/4 Plate Open-face Pocket Watch Running - Dec 15, 2025 | Sphere Auctions Llc In Wi

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d163cc6ee9

Terms in this record

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

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