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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunterd pocket watch

Elgin Grade 88 Hunting Cased Pocket Watch with Nugget Fob Chain

Partially verified

This antique Elgin Grade 88 pocket watch dates to circa 1883 and features an 18-size, 11-jewel mechanical movement with serial number 1220454. Housed in a 55mm 14k yellow gold-filled hunting case, the rear cover is decorated with a hand-engraved building and landscape scene according to the source. The front opens to a white dial with Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Accompanied by a 15-1/2-inch natural gold nugget fob chain featuring 14k yellow gold findings, a nugget fob, and an attached cigar cutter decorated with an elk's head, the watch alone has a gross weight of 139.4 grams.

Dial and open front view of the Elgin hunting cased pocket watch attached to a gold nugget chain and fob accessories
Dial and open front view of the Elgin hunting cased pocket watch attached to a gold nugget chain and fob accessories — Dan Morphy Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunterd pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin
Reference
Grade 88
Catalogue / lot identifier
1301
Source-reported date
Circa 1883
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
1220454

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

Identity and Provenance

This Elgin Grade 88 hunting-cased pocket watch, identified by movement serial number 1220454, is reported by the source to date to circa 1883. The timepiece features an 18-size, 11-jewel mechanical movement.

The watch is housed in a 55mm 14k yellow gold-filled hunting case. The rear cover is decorated with a hand-engraved building and landscape scene, and the case bears a 'WARRANTED' mark beneath a lion emblem.

Evidence for this section
  • “Elgin Grade 88 hunting cased pocket watch”
  • “Movement serial number: 1220454.”
  • “Circa 1883.”
  • “11j. 18s.”
  • “Case diameter measures 55mm.”
  • “14k yellow gold-filled”
  • “decorated with hand engraved building/landscape to rear cover”
  • “Case marked "WARRANTED" under lion.”

Dial and Exterior Observations

The watch features a white dial with Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The assembly is accompanied by a 15-1/2 inch natural gold nugget fob chain.

The chain includes 14k yellow gold findings, a nugget fob, and a cigar cutter adorned with an applied elk's head. The source notes the cigar cutter is unmarked and untested, describing the material as 10k.

Evidence for this section
  • “paired with a natural gold nugget fob chain with 14k yellow gold findings and 10k (unmarked/untested) cigar cutter with applied elk's head.”
  • “Nugget chain measures 15-1/2" in length”

Mechanical and Physical State

The internal movement is not visible in the provided source material and is currently reported as not running.

The pocket watch has a gross weight of 139.4 grams. The chain, including the fob and cigar cutter, has a gross weight of 48.4 grams.

Evidence for this section
  • “Currently not running.”
  • “Pocket watch has a gross weight of 139.4 grams.”
  • “Nugget chain measures 15-1/2" in length, with a gross weight of 48.4 grams including nugget fob and cigar cutter.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 'WARRANTED' lion mark regarding the case manufacturer?
  • Does the 10k designation for the cigar cutter represent an auction house assessment or a physical mark found on the item?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Grade 88 Hunting Cased Pocket Watch with Nugget Fob Chain
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
GradeGrade 88“Elgin Grade 88 hunting cased pocket watch”
Movement Serial Number1220454“Movement serial number: 1220454.”
Case Diameter55mm“Case diameter measures 55mm.”
Case Material14k yellow gold-filled“14k yellow gold-filled”
Gross Weight139.4 grams“Pocket watch has a gross weight of 139.4 grams.”
Movement11 jewel, 18 size“11j. 18s.”
Gross Weight (Watch)139.4 grams“Pocket watch has a gross weight of 139.4 grams.”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and blued steel hands.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position.
  • Hunting case cover open to the side showing engraved floral patterns on the lid rim.
  • Watch attached to a chain accented with rough natural gold nuggets, a T-bar, a nugget pendant, and an elk-head cigar cutter.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement is not visible in the provided image.
  • The source reports the movement is currently not running.
  • The cigar cutter material is noted by the auction house as unmarked and untested.

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

Consulted source

14k Gold-filled Elgin H/c Pocket Watch W/nugget Fob & Chain - Sep 24, 2026 | Dan Morphy Auctions In Pa

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record e434fbd6eb

Terms in this record

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

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