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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Elgin Veritas 18s 23J railroad grade pocket watch

Partially verified

This is an Elgin 18-size Veritas railroad-grade open-face pocket watch dating to circa 1905, according to the dealer. The movement is reported as a nickel three-quarter plate grade 214, model 8 with 23 jewels, a lever escapement, micrometer regulator, and diamond endstone. It is housed in a gold-plated open-face case by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. featuring screw-off front and back bezels. The double-sunk white enamel Montgomery dial is signed Elgin, displaying black Arabic hour numerals, marginal minute numbering 1 to 60 with red five-minute designations, and a subsidiary seconds dial.

Front view of the Elgin open-face pocket watch showing the white Montgomery dial and blued steel hands
Front view of the Elgin open-face pocket watch showing the white 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 National Watch Company
Reference
Grade 214, Model 8
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-186611
Source-reported date
c. 1905
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
11673887

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 timepiece features a double-sunk white enamel Montgomery dial marked with bold black Arabic hour numerals and a continuous outer track numbered 1 through 60, with the five-minute markers printed in red. The dial is signed 'ELGIN' beneath the 12 o'clock marker. It is fitted with blued steel hands, including spade-form hour and minute indicators and a recessed subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock.

Condition issues reported by the dealer include very faint hairlines near the 5 hour numeral, a small crack in the center at the hand post, and scratching on the subsidiary seconds hand. The front bezel is fitted with a plastic replacement crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel Montgomery dial is double sunk with a full set of blue steel hands and continuous minute marks.”
  • “some scratches on the sub seconds hand and a small crack in the centre on the hand post and a very light hairlines on the 5”
  • “The watch has a plastic glass”

Case Construction and Exterior Form

The movement is housed in an open-face, gold-plated case manufactured by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. It is configured with a screw-off bezel and screw-off back cover, decorated in a smooth, plain polished finish. The external dimensions are listed as 53 mm in diameter by 18 mm in depth.

A rounded bow and a fluted winding crown are mounted at the 12 o'clock position. The timepiece operates via stem winding and is set using a lever mechanism, though internal case markings and serial stamps are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a gold plated open face case by Philadelphia Watch Case Co which has a screw off back and front.”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish”
  • “The watch measures 53mm wide x 18mm deep”
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”

Movement Specifications and Reporting Limitations

Details of the movement rely entirely on the dealer's transcription, as internal mechanism photographs are absent. The movement is reported as an 18-size, nickel three-quarter plate Elgin Grade 214, Model 8 featuring 23 jewels, damascening decoration, a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, and a diamond endstone. Additional reported features include gold train wheels, raised gold jewel settings, a gold jewel setting on the barrel, and gold caps on the lever and balance.

The dealer records the movement signature as 'Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, Safety Barrel, 23 Jewels' alongside movement serial number 11673887, describing it with several marks and scratches. Because the mechanism is unpictured, its layout, damascening pattern, and exact markings cannot be independently corroborated from the visual record.

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” # 11673887.”
  • “Several marks and scratches but still a good example”

Open research questions

  • What specific Philadelphia Watch Case Co. trademark stamps, gold-filled warranty marks, and case serial numbers are engraved on the interior of the screw-off back?
  • Does direct visual inspection of the movement confirm the reported serial number 11673887, Grade 214 Veritas engravings, and diamond endstone?
  • Under magnification, what is the extent of the hairlines near the 5 numeral and the crack around the central hand post on the enamel dial?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Veritas 18s 23J railroad grade pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade and ModelGrade 214, model 8“The watch has a grade 214, model 8 movement.”
Movement InscriptionVeritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, Safety Barrel, 23 Jewels # 11673887“The movement is signed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, Safety Barrel, 23 Jewels” # 11673887.”
Case MakerPhiladelphia Watch Case Co“the movement comes in a gold plated open face case by Philadelphia Watch Case Co which has a screw off back and front.”
Dial DescriptionDouble sunk white enamel Montgomery dial“the white enamel Montgomery dial is double sunk with a full set of blue steel hands and continuous minute marks.”
Winding and SettingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Dimensions53mm wide x 18mm deep“The watch measures 53mm wide x 18mm deep”
Escapement and RegulatorLever escapement with micrometer regulator and diamond endstone“has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator and a diamond endstone.”
Reported Movement ComponentsGold balance and lever caps, raised gold jewel settings, gold train wheels, and gold barrel jewel setting“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”
Crystal MaterialPlastic“The watch has a plastic glass”

Visible details

  • Open-face yellow gold-toned case with a rounded bow and fluted crown at 12 o'clock.
  • White enamel Montgomery dial signed 'ELGIN' in uppercase block lettering below 12 o'clock.
  • Dial features bold black Arabic hour numerals and an outer track with individual minute markers numbered 1 through 60, with multiples of five highlighted in red.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with blued steel indicator hand.
  • Blued steel spade hour and minute hands mounted at the center arbor.

Research qualifications

  • Movement details, serial number (11673887), and internal case marks are not visible in the photograph and rely entirely on dealer reporting.
  • Dealer notes a small crack at the center hand post and faint hairlines near the 5 numeral on the dial.
  • The watch is fitted with a plastic replacement crystal as reported by the seller.

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

Consulted source

18s 23J Elgin Veritas rail road grade pocket watch c1905 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 20c6cb87f5

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face railroad pocket watch records