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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Elgin Gold-Filled 17-Jewel Open-Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch by the Elgin National Watch Company features a gold-filled case attributed to the Star Watch Case Company. The white enamel dial displays black Arabic numerals, an outer perimeter of red five-minute numerals, blued steel spade hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The auctioneer reports a 17-jewel manual-wind movement, serial number 17447597, with pendant setting and circular and wave pattern damaskeening. The reverse is catalogued as exhibiting a concentric guilloché design centering a vacant shield cartouche.

Dial view of the Elgin 17-jewel gold-filled open-face pocket watch
Dial view of the Elgin 17-jewel gold-filled open-face pocket watch — Lion and Unicorn. 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
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0012
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
17447597

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

Visual observation shows an open-face pocket watch housed in a yellow gold-tone metal case. The white dial is signed 'ELGIN' in black lettering beneath the 12 o'clock position. The hour markers are rendered in black Arabic numerals, framed by an outer perimeter of red five-minute numerals running from 5 to 60.

The dial features blued steel spade hands and an inset subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. At 12 o'clock, the case is fitted with an oval bow and a fluted winding crown.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face pocket watch in a yellow gold-tone metal case”
  • “White dial signed 'ELGIN' below 12 o'clock”
  • “Black Arabic numeral hour markers and red outer five-minute numerals (5 to 60)”
  • “Blued steel spade hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock”
  • “Fluted winding crown with an oval bow at 12 o'clock”

Case Construction and Catalogued Features

The auction catalog describes the housing as a gold-filled case produced by Star Watch Case Co. (S.W.C. Co.) warranted for 20 years, with recorded case serial number 4760583. Dimensions are listed by the seller as 2 inches in width by 2.5 inches in height, with a stated weight of 82.8 g.

The case back is catalogued as exhibiting a concentric guilloché pattern featuring a central floral border and an unengraved shield cartouche. However, this decorative engraving is not visible in the provided lot photo.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold-filled case by Star Watch Case Co. (S.W.C. Co.) warranted for 20 years.”
  • “Case serial number 4760583.”
  • “Dimensions: 2"W x 2.5"H”
  • “Weight: 82.8 g.”
  • “Case reverse features a concentric guilloche pattern with a central floral border and a vacant shield cartouche.”

Reported Movement and Accessories

The catalog entry reports an Elgin National Watch Co. manual-wind movement fitted with 17 jewels, pendant setting, and circular and wave pattern damaskeening, with movement serial number 17447597. Because no internal movement photograph is supplied, these specifications derive solely from the auctioneer's listing.

The lot is catalogued as accompanied by a modern display apparatus, described as a contemporary glass display dome on a turned wood base with a brass-tone hanging stand. This accessory is also not depicted in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Elgin National Watch Co.”
  • “Manual wind movement with 17 jewels, pendant set, decorated with circular and wave pattern damaskeening.”
  • “Movement serial number 17447597.”
  • “Accompanied by a contemporary glass display dome on a turned wood base with a brass-tone hanging stand.”

Open research questions

  • Which specific Elgin movement grade, size, and model correspond to movement serial number 17447597?
  • Does direct examination of the interior case markings verify the Star Watch Case Co. attribution, 20-year warranty stamp, and serial number 4760583?
  • What is the condition and pattern fidelity of the reverse case guilloché engraving and cartouche upon physical inspection?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Gold-Filled 17-Jewel Open-Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial Number17447597“Movement serial number 17447597.”
Case Serial Number4760583“Case serial number 4760583.”
Jewel Count17 jewels“Manual wind movement with 17 jewels”
Case MakerStar Watch Case Co.“Gold-filled case by Star Watch Case Co. (S.W.C. Co.) warranted for 20 years.”
Weight82.8 g“Weight: 82.8 g.”
Dimensions2" W x 2.5" H“Dimensions: 2"W x 2.5"H”
Case WarrantyWarranted for 20 years“warranted for 20 years.”
Accompanying AccessoriesContemporary glass display dome on turned wood base with brass-tone hanging stand“Accompanied by a contemporary glass display dome on a turned wood base with a brass-tone hanging stand.”

Visible details

  • Open-face pocket watch in a yellow gold-tone metal case
  • White dial signed 'ELGIN' below 12 o'clock
  • Black Arabic numeral hour markers and red outer five-minute numerals (5 to 60)
  • Blued steel spade hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Fluted winding crown with an oval bow at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, case back decoration, and accompanying glass display dome described by the auction house are not depicted in the single supplied photograph.
  • Movement specifications, jewel count, and serial numbers are based entirely on auction catalog text.

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

Consulted source

Elgin Gold-filled 17-jewel Open-face Pocket Watch - Aug 6, 2026 | Lion And Unicorn In Fl

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c13f22866f

Terms in this record

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

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