Pocket Watch Database
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Elgin National Watch Co.
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Elgin J.T. Ryerson Pocket Watch
Joseph Turner Ryerson was one of the original directors of the National Watch Company. He was also a major investor and his family continued as significant shareholders throughout the history of the company.
The "J.T. Ryerson" watch was manufactured by the National Watch Company from 1869-1874 as a 7-Jewel Gilt movement featuring a solid nickel balance. This grade was grouped with the Ferry and Laflin as grade "55" under the numbered scheme introduced by the Elgin National Watch Company ate a later date. The Ferry features 11 Jewels with a solid nickel balance and the Laflin features 7 Jewels, fitted with an expansion balance instead of solid nickel. A total of 42,084 Elgin movements were manufactured with the "J.T. Ryerson" name.
Elgin J.T. Ryerson Pocket Watch Grade List
| Est. Production Years: | 1867 - 1876 |
| Size: | 18 |
| Model: | 1 |
| Setting: | Key |
| Configuration: | Hunting |
| Movement Finish: | Gilt |
| Jewels: | 7-11 |
| Adjustments: | Unadjusted |
| Total Production: | 44,084 |
| PWDB Rarity Index: | 132.72 |
| Introduced: | October 14, 1867 |
| Grade Profile Code: | 18s-M1-7j/11j-HGK-U-J.T. Ryerson/Mixed |
| Grade Number | Est. Production Years | Size | Model | Setting | Configuration | Movement Finish | Jewels | Adjustments | Est. Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 1867 - 1876 | 18 | 1 | Key | Hunting | Gilt | 7-11 | U | 44,084 |
| Est. Total Production: | 44,084 |
Further Reading and References:
1871 Elgin Almanac, National Watch Company, 1871
1872 Elgin Almanac, National Watch Company, 1872
1873 Elgin Almanac, National Watch Company, 1873
1874 Elgin Almanac, National Watch Company, 1874
1875 Elgin Almanac, National Watch Company, 1875
1876 Elgin Almanac, National Watch Company, 1876
1896 Elgin Material Catalog, Elgin National Watch Company, 1896
1904 Elgin Material Catalog, Elgin National Watch Company, 1904
1915 Elgin Material Catalog, Elgin National Watch Company, 1915
1927 Elgin Material Catalog, Elgin National Watch Company, 1927
c.1950 Elgin Material Catalog Supplements, Elgin National Watch Company, c.1950
The Complete History of Watch Making in America by Charles S. Crossman
The Watch Factories of America Past and Present: A complete history of Watch Making in America by Henry G. Abbott
Elgin National Watch Company, The Keystone, August 1890
NOTE: Production metrics are based on the Elgin Numbered Grade Classification System. Other variants, including "unnamed" movements and movements with different named grades may have recieved the same grade number. The data on these pages attempts to segment and isolate the targeted named grade within the number classification for analysis.