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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Elgin Veritas 18-Size 23-Jewel Railroad Grade Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is an American railroad-grade pocket watch made by Elgin, dating to circa 1903. The source reports that the piece is powered by an 18-size, grade 214, model 8 nickel three-quarter plate movement featuring 23 jewels, a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, a diamond endstone, and damascening decoration. The movement is cased in a gold-plated open-face case measuring 53 mm in diameter by 18 mm deep with screw-off front and back bezels. The white enamel double-sunk Montgomery dial displays continuous outer minute markings, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the Elgin Veritas open-face pocket watch showing the Montgomery dial and blued steel hands
Front view of the Elgin Veritas open-face pocket watch showing the Montgomery dial and blued steel hands — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin
Reference
Grade 214, Model 8
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-263325
Source-reported date
c. 1903
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
9889713

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

Direct visual inspection shows an open-face pocket watch featuring a double-sunk white enamel Montgomery dial marked "ELGIN". The dial layout includes continuous peripheral minute numerals from 1 to 60 with red five-minute intervals, along with an inner hour track and a subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock.

The timepiece is fitted with blued steel spade hour and minute hands, matching the blued steel subsidiary seconds hand. The dealer catalogue states the dial is protected by a bevelled mineral glass set within a gold-tone open-face case featuring a top bow and fluted crown.

Evidence for this section
  • “Double-sunk white enamel Montgomery dial marked ELGIN”
  • “Continuous peripheral minute numerals from 1 to 60 with red five-minute intervals”
  • “the white enamel Montgomery dial is double sunk with a full set of blue steel hands and continuous minute marks.”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Reported Movement Specification

According to the source listing, the watch is powered by an Elgin Grade 214, Model 8 movement that is stem wound and lever set. The movement is described as a nickel three-quarter plate configuration featuring a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, 23 jewels, and a diamond endstone.

The seller reports further movement details including damascening, raised gold jewel settings, gold train wheels, a gold jewel setting on the barrel, and a gold cap on the balance and lever. The plate is reported to be signed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, Safety Barrel, 23 Jewels” with movement serial number 9889713.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a grade 214, model 8 movement.”
  • “Movement – the high quality nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator and a diamond endstone.”
  • “The movement has a gold cap on the balance and lever, raised gold jewel settings, gold train wheels, a gold jewel setting on the barrel and is decorated with damascening.”
  • “The movement is signed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, Safety Barrel, 23 Jewels” # 9889713.”

Case Construction and Cataloguing Scope

The movement is reportedly housed in a gold-plated open-face case measuring 53 mm in diameter by 18 mm deep, fitted with screw-off back and front bezels. The dealer describes the exterior case finishing as floral engraving combined with a smooth plain finish.

Because only a front dial-view photograph is available, the movement decoration, serial number, and caseback engravings are taken from the seller's documentation and remain unverified by direct visual inspection. The piece is classified in the listing under the Edwardian period (1901 to 1910) and dated circa 1903.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case – the movement comes in a gold plated open face case which has a screw off back and front.”
  • “The case has some floral engraving combined with a smooth plain finish”
  • “The watch measures 53mm wide x 18mm deep”
  • “Period Early 20th Century, Edwardian (1901 to 1910)”

Open research questions

  • What specific manufacturer, metal purity, or case maker trademarks are stamped inside the screw-off back bezel?
  • Does direct inspection of movement #9889713 verify the presence of the diamond endstone, gold train wheels, and raised gold jewel settings described by the dealer?
  • Where is the setting lever situated around the dial periphery under the front bezel?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Veritas 18-Size 23-Jewel Railroad Grade Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerElgin“This is an American railroad grade pocket watch made by Elgin.”
Movement Grade and ModelGrade 214, Model 8“The watch has a grade 214, model 8 movement.”
Movement Serial Number9889713“The movement is signed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, Safety Barrel, 23 Jewels” # 9889713.”
Jewel Count23 Jewels“18 size 23 Jewel Elgin Veritas railroad grade pocket watch.”
Dial DescriptionDouble sunk Montgomery dial“the white enamel Montgomery dial is double sunk with a full set of blue steel hands and continuous minute marks.”
Setting MechanismStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Dimensions53mm wide x 18mm deep“The watch measures 53mm wide x 18mm deep”
Seller Reported FlawsMarks on Veritas marking, scratch near winding wheels, light wear on case floral engraving“some marks on the Veritas and a long scratch near the winding wheels but still a good example”
Dealer Item Code4.286 (AB-263325)“Code 4.286 (AB-263325)”

Visible details

  • Open-face gold-tone case with top bow and fluted crown
  • Double-sunk white enamel Montgomery dial marked ELGIN
  • Continuous peripheral minute numerals from 1 to 60 with red five-minute intervals
  • Blued steel spade hour and minute hands
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock with blued steel hand

Research qualifications

  • Movement condition, movement details, and case back engravings are source-reported and not directly visible in the dial photograph
  • Condition percentages are dealer assessments

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

Consulted source

18 size 23 Jewel Elgin Veritas railroad grade pocket watch. c1903 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c33455d2eb

Terms in this record

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

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