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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Elgin Veritas 23 Jewel 16-size railroad pocket watch

Partially verified

This open-face railroad pocket watch features a double-sunk white enamel Montgomery-style dial signed Elgin, with bold Arabic hour numerals, continuous outer minute markings with red five-minute intervals, and blued steel hands. According to the seller, the timepiece is powered by a 16-size, 23-jewel nickel three-quarter plate lever-escapement movement signed 'Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA' and adjusted to five positions under serial number 23634418. The movement incorporates a gold train, raised gold jewel settings, and a gold-capped endstone. Housed in a 10K gold-plated screw-back case with engraved bezel edges, the stem-wound, lever-set watch measures 49 mm in diameter.

Front view of the Elgin Veritas 16-size railroad pocket watch showing the Montgomery dial and engraved bezel
Front view of the Elgin Veritas 16-size railroad pocket watch showing the Montgomery dial and engraved bezel — Atlam Watches / Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.167 (AB-186621)
Source-reported date
circa 1907 / c1921
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
23634418

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 features a white double-sunk enamel dial in the Montgomery style, displaying continuous minute markings from 1 to 60 with red five-minute intervals. Time is marked by bold black Arabic hour numerals and blued steel hands, with an auxiliary seconds register located at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is signed "Elgin" below the 12 o'clock marker.

A mineral glass crystal covers the dial. The exterior bezel is decorated with a carved or engraved pattern along its perimeter, and the winding crown and bow are situated at the 12 o'clock position in an open-face configuration.

Evidence for this section
  • “White double-sunk enamel dial with full Montgomery continuous minute numerals (1–60) and red five-minute marks”
  • “The dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “Elgin”.”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”
  • “The case has carved edges and a smooth plain finish on the back.”

Reported Movement and Configuration

Internal movement components are not visible in the provided photograph, but the seller reports a 16-size, 23-jewel nickel three-quarter plate lever-escapement movement. According to the listing, the caliber includes a gold train, a gold-capped endstone, raised gold jewel settings, and a gold setting on the mainspring.

The movement plate is reported to be inscribed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, 23 Jewels, , Adj 5 positions” and bears serial number 23634418. The watch utilizes a stem-wound, lever-set configuration, which is not verified by direct internal inspection in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “this high quality nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement with a gold train, gold capped endstone, raised gold jewel settings and a gold setting on the mainspring.”
  • “signed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, 23 Jewels, , Adj 5 positions””
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”

Case Specifications and Dating Discrepancy

The watch is housed in an open-face case constructed from 10K gold-plated metal, fitted with a screw-off bezel and back. Dimensions recorded by the seller are 49 mm in width by 13 mm in depth, with a smooth, plain finish on the reverse.

The source provides conflicting dates, heading the listing with "c1921" while stating in the description that the watch was made by Elgin "circa 1907". Because only a single front view of the watch is supplied, case hallmarks, inner markings, and internal movement plates cannot be directly inspected.

Evidence for this section
  • “10K gold plated open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel.”
  • “The case has carved edges and a smooth plain finish on the back.”
  • “The watch measures 49mm wide x 13mm deep”
  • “16 size 23 Jewel Elgin Veritas rail road pocket watch c1921”
  • “This is a good example of a Railroad pocket watch made by Elgin circa 1907”

Open research questions

  • What exact production year corresponds to Elgin serial number 23634418 according to factory records, resolving the listing's conflict between circa 1907 and c1921?
  • What maker marks, grade stamps, or gold-fill guarantees are present on the inside of the screw-off case back?
  • Does direct visual inspection of the movement confirm the reported Veritas signature, five-position adjustment, and 23-jewel layout?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Veritas 23 Jewel 16-size railroad pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial Number23634418“# 23634418”
Jewel Count23 Jewels“23 Jewels”
Movement InscriptionVeritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, 23 Jewels, , Adj 5 positions“signed “Veritas, Elgin, Ill, USA, 23 Jewels, , Adj 5 positions””
Case Material10K gold plated open face case“10K gold plated open face case”
Setting MechanismStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Dimensions49mm wide x 13mm deep“The watch measures 49mm wide x 13mm deep”
Crystal MaterialMineral glass“The watch has a mineral glass”
Case Back FinishSmooth plain finish“a smooth plain finish on the back”
Movement Plate ConfigurationNickel 3/4 plate“nickel ¾ plate movement”

Visible details

  • White double-sunk enamel dial with full Montgomery continuous minute numerals (1–60) and red five-minute marks
  • Bold black Arabic numerals and blued steel spade-style hands
  • Subordinate running seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Engraved leaf/laurel pattern bordering the front bezel
  • Crown positioned at 12 o'clock with a decorative open-face bow

Research qualifications

  • Contradictory dates in listing: title lists 'c1921' while description text states 'circa 1907'
  • Movement and interior case markings are reported by the dealer but not visible in the provided image

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

Consulted source

16 size 23 Jewel Elgin Veritas rail road pocket watch c1921 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 02b2b62f8b

Terms in this record

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

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