1918 Elgin Rare 6 Size

Brand: Elgin

Case Material: Mixed Metal

Strap Material: Leather

Case Shape: Round

Movement: Manual Wind

Case Dimensions: Width: 1.5 in (38 mm) Diameter: 1.5 in (38 mm)

Style: Art Nouveau

Place of Origin: United States

Period: 1910-1919

Date of Manufacture: 1918

Condition: Good Polished. Replacements made: Case hand polished Dial professionally restored Completed tear down mechanical service New Band New Crystal. Repaired: Case hand polished Dial professionally restored Completed tear down mechanical service New Band New Crystal. Minor losses. Case hand polished Dial professionally restored Completed tear down mechanical service New Band New Crystal.

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world-famous director.

They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920?s.

This offering would have been perfect for the movie, it was not available at the time of the movies filming.

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Everyone once and awhile I get a treasure. This offering is originates from 1918, yes, that is correct 1918. There are several distinct characteristics that make this a real treasure to collect, keep reading if your curious.

The watches size is the special attribute. You see this is a 6 size with an original armor shield. It is very hard to find 6 size wrist watches from the Trench watch era, let alone one that has an original crystal guard. Add one rarer characteristic to this watch.

A genuine Bold Military dial that has been professionally refinished to its original status; this is the highlight of this listing. Luminous material has been applied. Don?t wait! Very hard to find an original Dial!

This offering is super hard to find. You could wait years before another one comes up for sale. Take close notes, save the pictures, it will be a long time before you see another one. NOTE, I am not happy with the new crystal, its profile is too high and the armor guard could be a little tighter. it?s my paranoia and my professional desire deliver a quality vintage watch. This may delay your shipment.

To have a 6 size with a genuine Trench watch dial is extraordinary. They are very difficult to find. This is the first one in about 10 years! For collectors who are reading this listing, they know how hard it is to find one in pristine condition.

The case measures approximately 40 millimeters, unheard of during this era! Very Very Rare! I have gently hand polished this case. it is a polish that does wonders for silver, nickel, etc

This watch was serviced November 2023. It runs beautifully as of this listing., It has a new crystal installed as well, I finished the watch with a 18 millimeters black Buffalo leather open ended Trench Watch band with a stainless-steel buckle to match the case

Please keep in mind the watches that are 100+ years young do not keep time like modern watches. They do not have modern seals to acts as a dust or moisture barrier.

Look at the pictures to compare against another watch. One has to know a bit of background to understand Trench watches

History about Trench Watches

They were created using 3-0 and 0 size and very rarely 6 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist.

The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases as described below to house the movement.[

So, the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection.

The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch.

That is how many Trench Watches wrist watches were born in the early 1900?s.

The movements often came from women pocket watches because the wristwatch as we know was just being discovered. It is not uncommon to see various movements used in different cases, with various years. Remember the wristwatch was just being developed.

They often have some of the following characteristics:

Fixed or Wire Lug, some rare style have Swing Lugs No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today?s watches.

Case Material: Solid Gold or Sterling Silver Nickel Silverode or Gold Filled were used. (This case lid snaps snug on the case. This is important to note as many cases were badly damaged by their owners over the past 100 years. This watch case has been taken care of throughout its 100 years, it is in remarkable shape

Grade 295

Manufacturer Elgin



Manufacturer LocationElgin, Illinois

Movement Serial Number20427929

Grade 295

Model 2

Class 115

Estimated Production Year1918



Run Quantity 92,000

Total Production 210,000

Size6 size

Jewels15 Jewel

Movement ConfigurationHunting

Movement Finish Nickel

Movement SettingPendant

Plate3/4 Plate



Barrel Going

Train Quick



RegulatorPlain



Hairspring Breguet

Escapement Type:Straight-line

AdjustedNo



Railroad GradeNo

See Description