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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement

Elgin National Watch Co. G.M. Wheeler Grade 18-Size Pocket Watch Movement

Partially verified

This antique American size 18 pocket watch movement was manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company as a G.M. Wheeler grade. The cataloguer notes a manual-wind full-plate gilt movement stamped with serial number 384140, dating production to circa 1875, alongside engravings reading 'G. M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill.' and 'Patent Pinion'. The assembly retains its white enamel dial signed 'ELGIN NAT'L WATCH Co.' with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Lacking an outer case, crystal, and winding mechanism, the unit is presented as an uncased movement and dial assembly.

Dial side of Elgin National Watch Co. size 18 pocket watch movement
Dial side of Elgin National Watch Co. size 18 pocket watch movement — Palmer's Auction Co. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0015
Source-reported date
circa 1875
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
384140

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

Object Identity and Reported Specifications

This object consists of an uncased American pocket watch movement and dial assembly attributed to the Elgin National Watch Company. According to the auction catalogue, the movement represents a size 18, manual-wind mechanical, full-plate gilt movement identified as a G.M. Wheeler grade.

The auction description documents that the movement plate carries the stamped serial number 384140, on which an approximate production dating of circa 1875 is based. The plate is also reported to feature the engraved designations "G. M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill." and "Patent Pinion".

Evidence for this section
  • “It is a G.M. Wheeler grade, manual wind mechanical, full-plate gilt movement.”
  • “The movement plate is engraved with G. M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill., and Patent Pinion.”
  • “The serial number 384140 is stamped on the plate, dating production to approximately 1875.”

Dial and Hands

The visible assembly features a white enamel dial bearing the uppercase signature "ELGIN NATL WATCH Co." across the upper center. The time display is configured with black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute ring detailed with diamond-shaped accents, and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock marked in ten-second intervals.

Three hands are fitted to the dial post: an hour hand, a minute hand, and a subsidiary seconds hand. The auction record specifically designates these components as three blued steel hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is signed ELGIN NATL WATCH Co.”
  • “The white enamel dial features black Roman numeral hour markers and a sunken sub-seconds dial at the six o'clock position.”
  • “Three blued steel hands are present, including the hour, minute, and sub-seconds hands.”

Condition and Incomplete Assembly

The unit is incomplete, lacking an outer case, crystal, or winding mechanism, and measuring 1.75 inches in movement diameter. Visual inspection reveals extensive fine specks of dust, fibers, and debris resting on the dial face, alongside visible crazing and hairline fissures around the central arbor post and the subsidiary register.

The reverse movement mechanism—including the balance wheel, train, and plates—is unillustrated in the cataloguing photograph. The seller reports that the movement plate shows overall tarnish, oxidation, and surface grime, with slot wear visible on several screw heads, and confirms the mechanism is entirely untested.

Evidence for this section
  • “This item consists of the internal movement and dial assembly only; it does not include an outer case, crystal, or winding mechanism.”
  • “Diameter: 1.75 inches.”
  • “The white enamel dial has visible hairline cracks and crazing, most notably near the sub-seconds dial and center post.”
  • “The movement plate shows overall tarnish, oxidation, and surface grime. Several screw heads exhibit slot wear.”

Open research questions

  • What jewel count and escapement configuration are fitted to this specific movement plate, which remain unverified due to the lack of rear photographs?
  • Does direct physical inspection of the movement plate confirm the serial number 384140 and the reported 'Patent Pinion' inscription?
  • Are the hairline fissures on the enamel dial stable, or do they present an active risk of flaking around the center arbor and sub-seconds register?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin National Watch Co. G.M. Wheeler Grade 18-Size Pocket Watch Movement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerElgin National Watch Company“manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company”
GradeG.M. Wheeler“It is a G.M. Wheeler grade”
Serial Number384140“The serial number 384140 is stamped on the plate”
Approximate Datecirca 1875“dating production to approximately 1875”
Movement Diameter1.75 inches“Diameter: 1.75 inches.”
Dial SignatureELGIN NATL WATCH Co.“The dial is signed ELGIN NATL WATCH Co.”
Hands MaterialBlued steel“Three blued steel hands are present, including the hour, minute, and sub-seconds hands.”
Plate InscriptionsG. M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill., and Patent Pinion“The movement plate is engraved with G. M. Wheeler, Elgin, Ill., and Patent Pinion.”
Movement Plate ConfigurationFull-plate gilt“full-plate gilt movement”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial signed 'ELGIN NAT'L WATCH Co.'
  • Black Roman numeral hour markers with outer minute track and diamond-shaped accents
  • Sunken sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals
  • Three hands present including hour, minute, and subsidiary seconds hands
  • Surface exhibits extensive specks of dust, debris, and visible crazing around the center arbor and sub-seconds register

Research qualifications

  • The rear movement plate, balance, and train are not visible in the provided image; plate engravings and serial number rely entirely on source reporting
  • Sold without outer case, crystal, or winding mechanism; mechanical functionality is untested

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

Consulted source

Elgin National Watch Co G.m. Wheeler Grade 18 Size Pocket Watch Movement - Sep 24, 2026 | Palmer's Auction Co In Ny

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 88dbf36c9f

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

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