Elgin National Watch Company
Elgin, United States · Est. 1864
Founded by Benjamin W. Raymond, Philo Carpenter, Joseph T. Ryerson, George M. Wheeler, William H. Brown, Charles H. Hulburd
Elgin National Watch Company was the largest American watch manufacturer, producing over 60 million movements from 1864 to 1968 in Elgin, Illinois. Famous for railroad-grade pocket watches and elegant wristwatches, Elgin defined American timekeeping for a century.
- Founded
- 1864
- Headquarters
- Elgin, United States
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1968
Once the largest American watch manufacturer, Elgin could not survive the shift to imported Swiss and Japanese movements, closing its Illinois factory in 1964 and ceasing all production by 1968.
Elgin was America's watchmaker — fifty million movements from one Illinois factory, until the world stopped buying American time.
Key Collections
- B.W. Raymond Railroad — Named after the company's principal founder, this line of railroad-grade pocket watches met the exacting standards required by American railways and became synonymous with precision timekeeping.
- Lord Elgin — Elgin's premium wristwatch line introduced in the 1930s, featuring higher-grade movements and refined cases that represented the pinnacle of the company's wristwatch production.
- Lady Elgin — The feminine counterpart to the Lord Elgin, these elegant women's watches featured decorative cases and smaller movements, popular from the 1930s through the 1950s.
- Shockmaster — Introduced in the post-war era, this durable line featured shock-resistant movements designed for everyday wear, competing with similar Swiss innovations.
Timeline
- 1864 — National Watch Company founded by prominent Chicago businessmen; construction began on the Elgin factory.
- 1867 — First watch movement completed; company renamed Elgin National Watch Company after its Illinois location.
- 1910 — Production reached one million watches annually, making Elgin the world's largest watch manufacturer.
- 1958 — Factory produced its 60 millionth movement, marking a century of American watchmaking dominance.
- 1964 — Elgin factory in Illinois closed; production shifted to imported Swiss movements assembled in the United States.
- 1968 — All watch production ceased, ending over a century of American watchmaking at Elgin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elgin National Watch Company
- When did Elgin stop making watches?
- Elgin ceased domestic production when its Illinois factory closed in 1964, then stopped all watch production entirely by 1968, unable to compete with cheaper Swiss and Japanese imports.
- Are Elgin watches still valuable?
- Vintage Elgin watches, particularly railroad-grade pocket watches and Lord Elgin wristwatches, are highly collectible. Railroad watches meeting period specifications command premium prices, whilst gold-cased dress watches also attract significant collector interest.
- Can I still buy an Elgin watch today?
- Original Elgin watches are only available through the vintage and antique market, including dealers, auction houses, and estate sales. The brand name has occasionally been licensed for budget imports, but these bear no connection to the original company.
- How many watches did Elgin produce?
- Elgin manufactured over 60 million watch movements during its 104 years of production, making it the most prolific American watch manufacturer in history.
- Why were Elgin railroad watches so important?
- Following the 1891 railroad timekeeping standards established after the Kipton disaster, Elgin's B.W. Raymond and other railroad-grade watches met strict accuracy requirements, becoming essential equipment for American railway operations.