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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Elgin Grade 241 Openface Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This openface pocket watch is reported by the seller to date from 1904, housing an Elgin National Watch Company 16-size Grade 241 manual-wind movement with 17 jewels and adjustment. It is fitted within a 52 mm 14-karat white gold-filled case marked 'ELGIN TIVOLI' by the Illinois Watch Case Co. The white dial is signed 'ELGIN' with black Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer minute track accented with red five-minute designations, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and blued steel hands. The winding crown and bow are set at the 3 o'clock position on the case.

Three-quarter front view of the Elgin Grade 241 pocket watch on a display stand
Three-quarter front view of the Elgin Grade 241 pocket watch on a display stand — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 241, Model 6, Class 33
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-4060
Source-reported date
1904
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
10626517

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 Form and Configuration

The pocket watch is presented in a round open-face case described as 14-karat white gold-filled metal, measuring 52 mm in diameter, 59 mm including the crown, and 13 mm in thickness. The bezel features a decorative grooved perimeter described in the listing as a coin design. The interior of the case back is reported by the seller to bear the inscription "Illinois Watch Case Co. ELGIN TIVOLI 7179327".

A direct contradiction appears in the listing regarding the position of the winding mechanism. The seller's written description states that "The crown is located at 6 o'clock position." However, visual inspection of the watch shows the winding stem, fluted crown, and attached bow located at the 3 o'clock position on the dial perimeter.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a 52mm round openface case with coin design, all in 14K white gold filled.”
  • “The crown is located at 6 o'clock position.”
  • “Illinois Watch Case Co. ELGIN TIVOLI 7179327”
  • “Winding crown and bow positioned adjacent to the 3 o'clock marker on the dial.”

Dial and Hands

The seller describes the dial as an original white ceramic dial. It displays black Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer minute track accented with red Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals, and the Elgin name signature below the 12 o'clock marker.

Time is marked by blued steel hands, featuring a spade hour hand and slender minute hand. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, accompanied by a blued steel seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “Original white ceramic dial featuring black Arabic Numerals, black minute track (with red numerals every 5min) and blue steel matching hands.”
  • “The sub second is located at 6 o'clock. The dial is signed with the Elgin name/logo on top.”
  • “Blued steel hands including a spade hour hand and subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock.”

Reported Movement and Dating

According to the seller, the watch houses an Elgin National Watch Co. 16-size manual-wind movement, specified as Grade 241, Model 6, Class 33, with 17 jewels and adjustments. The movement inscription is reported as "Elgin Natl Watch Co. 17 Jewels Adjusted U.S.A. 10626517".

The seller dates the watch to 1904. Because the movement is not visible in the provided imagery, its condition, grade markings, and serial number are entirely source-reported and have not been independently confirmed by internal inspection.

Evidence for this section
  • “grade 241, 17 Jewels,  model 6, 16s, class 33, adjusted, sub second hand, made in U.S.A.”
  • “Movement: Elgin Natl Watch Co. 17 Jewels Adjusted U.S.A. 10626517”
  • “A Elgin pocket watch dated from 1904.”

Open research questions

  • Does direct physical inspection of the movement plate verify the reported serial number 10626517 and Grade 241 marking?
  • Why is the winding stem positioned at 3 o'clock with the sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock, indicating a hunting-movement configuration (sidewinder) in an open-face case?
  • Do internal case hallmarks verify the 14K white gold-filled composition and Illinois Watch Case Co. provenance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Grade 241 Openface Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade241“grade 241, 17 Jewels”
Movement Serial10626517“Movement: Elgin Natl Watch Co. 17 Jewels Adjusted U.S.A. 10626517”
Case Serial7179327“ELGIN TIVOLI 7179327”
Case Size52 mm“Measurements (mm): Case 52”
Case Material14K white gold filled“all in 14K white gold filled.”
Case with Crown59 mm“Case with Crown 59”
Case Thickness13 mm“Case Thickness 13”
Case Manufacturer MarkingsIllinois Watch Case Co. ELGIN TIVOLI 7179327“Illinois Watch Case Co. ELGIN TIVOLI 7179327”
Reported Movement SpecificationModel 6, Class 33, 16s, Adjusted“model 6, 16s, class 33, adjusted”

Visible details

  • Fluted or coin-edge pattern along the front bezel.
  • White dial with black Arabic numerals and red numerals marking five-minute intervals.
  • Blued steel hands including a spade hour hand and subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock.
  • Winding crown and bow positioned adjacent to the 3 o'clock marker on the dial.

Research qualifications

  • The source text erroneously describes the crown as located at the 6 o'clock position, though the photograph shows it positioned at 3 o'clock.
  • Movement and case back markings are source-reported and not visible in the provided photo.

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

Consulted source

1904 ELGIN Pocket Watch Openface 16s Grade 241 17 Jewels Adjusted 14K – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6d329cdaf0

Terms in this record

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

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