Bidspirit auction | Elgin National Watch Co. Strand

Elgin National Watch Co. Strand Grade 17 Jewel Open Face Pocket Watch - A 16-size open-face pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is printed with the name ELGIN in black block letters below the 12 o'clock position. The watch features a manual-wind, lever-set movement housed in a base metal case. The movement is finished with nickel plating and decorative damaskeening. It is engraved with the grade name Strand and the manufacturer name ELGIN NATL WATCH CO. U.S.A. The movement also bears the serial number 19643005 and is marked 17 JEWELS, ADJUSTED, 4 POSITIONS, and DOUBLE ROLLER. The interior of the case back features a stamped mark for the ILLINOIS WATCH CASE CO. above the brand name SPARTAN and the case serial number 0607527. Numerous hand-scratched jeweler service marks are present on the interior case back, including R306023, 34904, and others. The case exterior features a textured engine-turned design on the back with a central vacant cartouche and a decorative floral-motif bezel. The movement runs then stops. The case diameter measures approximately 2 inches across as indicated by the provided scale. The porcelain dial exhibits significant damage with multiple spider-web cracks and hairlines extending from the center arbor across the entire surface (photo 1). Surface grime and small chips are visible at the center arbor (photo 2). The blue steel hands show oxidation and loss of finish (photo 1). The base metal case shows moderate wear throughout, including surface scratches and scuffs (photo 6). Brassing and wear-through are visible on the gold-toned crown (photo 3). The movement appears complete but shows minor surface oxidation on some screw heads (photo 4). The watch is reported to run then stop, indicating a need for professional mechanical service.