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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch with power reserve indicator

Elgin Gold-Filled Open Face 'Time Indicator' Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the auction catalog, this open face pocket watch by Elgin dates to circa 1914 and features a 58.00 mm diameter gold-filled case. The white double-sunk dial is signed ELGIN with bold black Arabic numerals, blued steel spade hands, an up/down power reserve subdial at 12 o'clock, and subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock. The catalog notes an exhibition crystal case back displaying a stem-wound, lever-set 19-jewel nickel three-quarter plate movement adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and five positions. The damaskeened movement is signed B.W. Raymond ELGIN IL and numbered 17375941.

Dial view of the Elgin open face pocket watch showing the double-sunk dial with power reserve indicator
Dial view of the Elgin open face pocket watch showing the double-sunk dial with power reserve indicator — Hindman. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch with power reserve indicator
Maker / attribution
Elgin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
62
Source-reported date
Circa 1914
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
17375941

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

The timepiece is an open-face pocket watch measuring 58.00 mm in diameter. The exterior is described by the source as having a gold-filled (G.F.) composition. The case features a ribbed crown, a bow, and reeded decorative bezel rings.

The auction catalog reports the inclusion of an exhibition crystal case back. The movement was not independently verified for this record.

Evidence for this section
  • “58.00 mm case diameter”
  • “Elgin, G.F. Open Face 'Time Indicator' Pocket Watch”
  • “exhibition crystal case back”

Dial and Timekeeping Displays

The watch features a white double-sunk dial signed 'ELGIN' with Arabic numerals. Time is displayed using blued steel spade hands.

The dial includes a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and a power reserve indicator subdial at 12 o'clock, with a track marked for 40 hours.

Evidence for this section
  • “white double-sunk dial signed ELGIN, Arabic numerals, blued steel spade hands”
  • “subdial at 12 and 6 o'clock for 40 hour power reserve indication and small seconds respectively”

Movement Specifications

The movement is a 19-jewel nickel three-quarter plate mechanism, described as stem-wound and lever-set. It is noted to have adjustments for temperature, isochronism, and five positions, as well as a double roller, gilt inlay, gold setting screws, and a damaskeened finish.

The movement is signed 'B.W. Raymond ELGIN IL' and bears the serial number 17375941.

Evidence for this section
  • “stem wound and lever set 19 jewel nickel 3/4 plate movement adjusted to temperature, isochronism and five adjustments with a double roller, gilt inlay, gold setting screws and damaskeen finish signed B.W. Raymond ELGIN IL”
  • “Movement number: 17375941”

Open research questions

  • Verify if serial number 17375941 aligns with production records for a B.W. Raymond grade movement.
  • Determine if the exhibition crystal case back is a standard factory feature for this reference or a later modification.
  • Investigate the provenance of the 'G.F.' gold-filled marking relative to 1914 production standards.

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Gold-Filled Open Face 'Time Indicator' Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case diameter58.00 mm“58.00 mm case diameter”
Dial descriptionWhite double-sunk dial signed ELGIN, Arabic numerals“white double-sunk dial signed ELGIN, Arabic numerals”
Subdials40 hour power reserve indication and small seconds“subdial at 12 and 6 o'clock for 40 hour power reserve indication and small seconds respectively”
Movement specification19 jewel nickel 3/4 plate movement“19 jewel nickel 3/4 plate movement adjusted to temperature, isochronism and five adjustments with a double roller, gilt inlay, gold setting screws and damaskeen finish”
Movement signatureB.W. Raymond ELGIN IL“signed B.W. Raymond ELGIN IL”
Movement number17375941“Movement number: 17375941”
Estimated DateCirca 1914“Circa 1914”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold-tone open face case with a ribbed crown, bow, and reeded decorative bezel rings
  • Blued steel spade hour hand, matching blued minute hand, and smaller blued hands on both subdials
  • Up/Down indicator track marked with UP, DN, and numerical values 0 through 40
  • Bold Arabic hour markers with outer minute track and diamond-shaped five-minute accents

Research qualifications

  • Movement and exhibition case back are catalog-described but not visible in the provided photograph
  • Gold-filled composition is reported by the auctioneer ('G.F.') rather than independently verified

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

Consulted source

Elgin, G.F. Open Face 'Time Indicator' Pocket Watch, Circa 1914 sold at auction on 4th October | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record df7c5db366

Terms in this record

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