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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch

Elgin National Watch Co. Gold Filled Hunter Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is an Elgin National Watch Co. hunter case pocket watch reported to date to circa 1908 based on movement serial number 13827197. According to the auction listing, the 38mm gold-filled case was manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. and features an engraved swallow in flight among floral and geometric motifs on its exterior. The white porcelain dial displays black Arabic numerals, an outer red five-minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The manual-wind movement is inscribed 'Safety Pinion' and is catalogued as non-functional.

Front view of the open Elgin hunter case pocket watch showing porcelain dial and gold-filled case
Front view of the open Elgin hunter case pocket watch showing porcelain dial and gold-filled case — Palmer's Auction Co. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0082
Source-reported date
circa 1908
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
13827197

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

The pocket watch displays a white porcelain dial signed 'ELGIN' below the 12 o'clock position. The time display incorporates black Arabic hour numerals, a red outer five-minute track, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock, with blued steel hands in a spade and whip configuration.

The timepiece is presented in a hunter case with the front lid hinged at the 9 o'clock position relative to the dial. The winding crown, pendant, and bow are located at the 3 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “White porcelain dial signed 'ELGIN' below the 12 o'clock position”
  • “The white porcelain dial is detailed with black Arabic hour numerals, a red outer five-minute track, and a sub-seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position.”
  • “The blued steel hands are in the spade and whip style.”
  • “Open hunter case front lid hinged at the 9 o'clock position relative to the dial”
  • “Crown, pendant, and bow situated at the 3 o'clock position”

Case Construction and Exterior Decoration

The cataloguer reports that the 38mm gold-filled case was produced by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. under serial number 8209095. The case interior is reported to carry a twenty-year guarantee stamp along with a crown hallmark.

The exterior of the case is reported by the seller to feature an engraved scene of a swallow in flight surrounded by floral and geometric motifs. These exterior markings and engravings are documented by the auction source but are not fully visible in the single open-face photograph provided.

Evidence for this section
  • “The gold-filled case, manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co., bears serial number 8209095 and is marked with a twenty-year guarantee stamp and crown hallmark.”
  • “The case exterior is embellished with an intricately engraved scene of a swallow in flight surrounded by floral and geometric elements.”
  • “Case diameter: 38mm.”

Movement Details and Operating Condition

The source documents a manual-wind mechanical movement bearing serial number 13827197, which the auction house correlates to a production date of circa 1908. The movement is described in the listing as decorated with damaskeening and inscribed 'Safety Pinion'.

The movement plates are not visible in the catalogue imagery. The auction house reports that the movement appears visually clean but does not run and is currently non-functional.

Evidence for this section
  • “with a movement serial number of 13827197, dating the production to circa 1908.”
  • “The watch features a manual-wind mechanical movement with decorative damaskeening and is marked Safety Pinion.”
  • “The watch does not run.”
  • “The mechanical movement appears visually clean but is currently non-functional.”

Open research questions

  • What specific Elgin movement grade, size, and jewel count correspond to movement serial number 13827197 upon direct plate inspection?
  • What mechanical fault prevents the movement from operating?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin National Watch Co. Gold Filled Hunter Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial Number13827197“movement serial number of 13827197”
Case Serial Number8209095“bears serial number 8209095”
Case MakerPhiladelphia Watch Case Co.“manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co.”
Case Diameter38mm“Case diameter: 38mm.”
Movement InscriptionSafety Pinion“marked Safety Pinion”
Case Guarantee MarkingTwenty-year guarantee stamp and crown hallmark“marked with a twenty-year guarantee stamp and crown hallmark”

Visible details

  • White porcelain dial signed 'ELGIN' below the 12 o'clock position
  • Black Arabic hour numerals with outer five-minute track numerals in red
  • Subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock
  • Blued steel spade and whip hands
  • Open hunter case front lid hinged at the 9 o'clock position relative to the dial
  • Crown, pendant, and bow situated at the 3 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • Movement damaskeening, serial number, and case exterior engravings are reported by the source but obscured in the photograph
  • Reported by the auction house as not running

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

Consulted source

Elgin National Watch Co. Gold Filled Hunter Case Pocket Watch Serial 13827197 - Sep 24, 2026 | Palmer's Auction Co In Ny

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record a598b04ce6

Terms in this record

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

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