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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Elgin Railroad Grade No. 349 "Father Time" 18s Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Elgin open-face pocket watch is dated by the source to 1905 and features an 18-size, 21-jewel manual-wind movement recorded as Grade 349, also known as the Father Time. The lever-set movement operates at 18,000 beats per hour and is source-reported as adjusted to five positions, isochronism, and temperature. It is housed in a 54.5 mm yellow gold-filled Fahys case stamped Guaranteed 20 Years. The white ceramic double-sunk dial features Arabic hour numerals, red five-minute markers, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of Elgin 18s Grade 349 open-face pocket watch
Front view of Elgin 18s Grade 349 open-face pocket watch — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin National Watch Co.
Reference
Grade 349
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3582
Source-reported date
1905
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
11819339

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 Visible Appearance

The pocket watch displays an open-face configuration with a top bow and fluted crown. The white dial exhibits a double-sunk construction with bold black Arabic hour numerals, outer red minute markers, and blued steel hands. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, and the Elgin name appears below 12 o'clock.

An attached watch chain featuring a circular engraved fob is visible below the watch display stand in the primary photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Double-sunk white dial with bold Arabic numerals and outer red five-minute markers”
  • “Blued steel spade hands and subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position”
  • “Attached watch chain with circular fob partially visible below the display stand”
  • “original white ceramic double-sunk dial with bold Arabic Numerals, red minute markers and large blue steel matching hands. The sub-second is located at 6 o’clock. The dial is also signed with the Elgin name/logo.”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

The movement is catalogued by the seller as an Elgin National Watch Co. 18s manual-wind mechanism, Grade 349 (referred to as "Father Time"), serial number 11819339. The vendor lists it as a lever-set, 21-jewel caliber operating at 18,000 bph, adjusted to five positions, isochronism, and temperature.

The vendor notes the caliber as 'model 7, class 65' and states that Grade 349 was produced from 1904 through 1911. Because internal movement surfaces are not shown in the available photograph, these technical details and the serial number rely entirely on the source's transcription.

Evidence for this section
  • “original Elgin movement caliber grade 349 (or Father Time), size 18s, 21 jewels, sub-second, adjusted to 5 positions, isochronism, and temperature, 18,000 bph U.S.A. made”
  • “model 7, class 65”
  • “Grade 349, also known as “Father Time” was produced from 1904 through 1911.”
  • “Movement: Elgin Nat'l Watch Co. U.S.A. 21 Jewels No. 349 11819339”

Case Construction and Vendor-Reported Condition

The watch is housed in a 54.5 mm round Fahys case described as yellow gold-filled and stamped 'Guaranteed 20 Years.' While the front bezel and crystal are visible, the reverse is not shown in the photograph.

The seller reports substantial wear to the exterior, stating that 'much of the gold fill has disappeared from the back.' The listing attributes this wear to the piece having been 'carried daily by two generations of men from the same family,' though this provenance is an unverified vendor narrative.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a 54.5mm round Fahys case, all in yellow gold filled signed “Guaranteed 20 Years.””
  • “much of the gold fill has disappeared from the back”
  • “Carried daily by two generations of men from the same family”

Open research questions

  • What specific case serial number or trademarks are stamped on the interior of the Fahys case back?
  • Does direct visual inspection of the movement plate confirm the serial number 11819339 and the Grade 349 markings?
  • What is the physical pattern and extent of base metal exposure from the reported gold-fill loss on the reverse of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Railroad Grade No. 349 "Father Time" 18s Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerElgin National Watch Co.“Elgin National Watch Co.”
Movement Grade349“original Elgin movement caliber grade 349”
Movement Serial Number11819339“11819339”
Jewel Count21 jewels“21 jewels”
Size18s“size 18s”
Case Specifications54.5mm Fahys yellow gold-filled“54.5mm round Fahys case, all in yellow gold filled signed “Guaranteed 20 Years.””
Model and ClassModel 7, class 65“model 7, class 65”
Beat Rate18,000 bph“18,000 bph U.S.A. made”
Reported Movement AdjustmentsAdjusted to 5 positions, isochronism, and temperature“adjusted to 5 positions, isochronism, and temperature”

Visible details

  • Open-face yellow-gold-tone case with top bow and fluted crown
  • Double-sunk white dial with bold Arabic numerals and outer red five-minute markers
  • Blued steel spade hands and subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position
  • Attached watch chain with circular fob partially visible below the display stand

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement caliber, adjustments, and movement serial number 11819339 are not visible in the front photograph and rely on source description
  • Source notes loss of gold fill on the case back, which is obscured from view

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

Consulted source

1905 ELGIN 18s 21-Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch | Vintage U.S.A. – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d6d69d8e83

Terms in this record

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

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