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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Elgin 10K Gold Filled 15 Jewel Open Face Pocket Watch Size 12s

Partially verified

This Elgin National Watch Company open-face pocket watch dates to circa 1924 according to the source-reported movement serial number 27056069. It features a size 12s, 15-jewel manual-wind movement fitted inside a 10 karat gold-filled case produced by Fahys under the Montauk line. The exterior exhibits Art Deco-style relief engravings around the bezel and on the case back. Its silvered vertically brushed dial is appointed with stylized black Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer railroad minute track, blued steel spade and whip hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Dial and front bezel view of the Elgin open-face pocket watch
Dial and front bezel view of the Elgin open-face pocket watch — Palmer's Auction Co. 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 Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0121
Source-reported date
circa 1924
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
27056069

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

Case and Exterior Construction

This is an American open-face pocket watch manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company. It is housed in a 10 karat gold-filled case produced by Fahys under the Montauk line, with an approximate diameter of 1.75 inches (44.5 mm).

The case features Art Deco-style floral and geometric engravings on the bezel and back, which includes a vacant rectangular cartouche. The 10 karat gold-filled case shows light surface scratches and minor wear, and the crystal shows light surface scuffing.

Evidence for this section
  • “The manual wind, 15-jewel movement is housed in a 10 karat gold-filled case produced by Fahys under the Montauk line.”
  • “The case features elaborate Art Deco-style floral and geometric engravings surrounding the bezel and covering the back, which includes a vacant rectangular cartouche.”
  • “Diameter: Approximately 1.75 inches (44.5 mm).”
  • “The 10 karat gold-filled case shows light surface scratches and minor wear consistent with age”
  • “The crystal shows light surface scuffing.”

Dial and Visual Appointments

The silvered dial has a vertical brushed texture and features stylized black Arabic numeral hour markers with a railroad-style outer minute track. A recessed sub-seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock.

The hands are blued steel in a modified spade and whip style. The dial exhibits surface oxidation, spotting, and minor pitting, though numerals and tracks remain clear.

Evidence for this section
  • “The silvered dial exhibits a vertical brushed texture and is detailed with stylized black Arabic numeral hour markers, a railroad-style outer minute track, and a recessed sub-seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position.”
  • “The hands are blued steel in a modified spade and whip style.”
  • “The dial exhibits visible surface oxidation, spotting, and minor pitting throughout, although the numerals and tracks remain clear.”

Movement and Inscriptions

The movement is a manual wind, 15-jewel mechanism. It is nickel-finished with decorative damaskeening and is inscribed 'Elgin Natl Watch Co., U.S.A.' and '15 Jewels'. It is identified by serial number 27056069, which the source dates to approximately 1924.

The interior case back contains the maker mark 'Fahys Montauk Gold Filled 10 K', serial number 6351429, and a hand-etched service mark reading '12 M 686-3'. The source reports that the watch does not run.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is marked with serial number 27056069, dating its production to approximately 1924.”
  • “The nickel-finished movement features decorative damaskeening and is inscribed Elgin Natl Watch Co., U.S.A. and 15 Jewels.”
  • “The interior of the case back is stamped with the maker mark Fahys Montauk Gold Filled 10 K and serial number 6351429, alongside a hand-etched jeweler's service mark reading 12 M 686-3.”
  • “The watch does not run.”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber is indicated by movement serial 27056069?
  • Can the hand-etched service mark '12 M 686-3' be attributed to a specific horological practice or region?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin 10K Gold Filled 15 Jewel Open Face Pocket Watch Size 12s
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial27056069“The movement is marked with serial number 27056069”
Jewel Count15 Jewels“The manual wind, 15-jewel movement”
Case MakerFahys Montauk“The interior of the case back is stamped with the maker mark Fahys Montauk Gold Filled 10 K”
Case Serial6351429“and serial number 6351429”
Movement InscriptionElgin Natl Watch Co., U.S.A.“inscribed Elgin Natl Watch Co., U.S.A. and 15 Jewels”
Dimensions7 x 7 x 5 in“Dimensions 7 x 7 x 5 in”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with pronounced vertical brushing, dark spotting, and surface patina.
  • Elaborate relief foliate and geometric engraving along the front bezel.
  • Blued steel spade and whip hour and minute hands with a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Source reports the watch does not run.
  • Movement and interior case back marks are documented by the source description but not visible in the provided photograph.

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

Consulted source

Elgin 10k Gold Filled 15 Jewel Open Face Pocket Watch Size 12s - Sep 24, 2026 | Palmer's Auction Co In Ny

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 77413a3655

Terms in this record

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

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