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Elgin National Watch Co.
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Elgin Veritas Pocket Watch Grade Catalog
The "Veritas" was a railroad grade pocket watch introduced by the Elgin National Watch Company. Around 1912, the company discontinued the 21-Jewel Veritas to focus on offering a premium 23-Jewel movement. This transition likely resulted in several mixed runs with "Father Time" movements as the company moved to establish the Father Time as the 21-Jewel offering. c.1912 catalog descriptions for the 16-Size 21-Jewel Veritas and the Father Time are identical.
All "Veritas" movements featured either 21 or 23 jewels and were adjusted to temperature, isochronism, and five positions.
From 1901 to approximately 1923, the "Veritas" name adorned the top railroad-grade movements in the Elgin product line. Once watch companies began casing more watches at the factory, the necessity and market benefit for named movements declined. For this reason, Elgin moved the product line toward one name - discontinuing other named movements to focus on the "B.W. Raymond" brand.
At this time, the estimated total production for all Elgin movements marked "Veritas" rests at 64,523.
Elgin Veritas Pocket Watch Grade Catalog
Est. Production Years: | 1900 - 1912 | Introduced: | March 1901 |
Size: | 18 |
Model: | 8 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 23 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | ~21,700 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 65.33 |
Grade Profile Code: | 18s-M8-23j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas/Mixed | Catalog Description: | Veritas (No. 214). O.F. Only, Lever Set.
Nickel, 23 Extra Fine Ruby Jewels (Raised Gold Settings), Adjusted to Temperature, Isochronishm and Positions, Quick Train with Gold Wheels, Straight Line Double Roller Escapement with Steel Escape Wheel, Poised Pallet and Fork, Pallet Arbor and Escape Pinion Cone Pivoted and Cap Jeweled, Exposed Pallets, Compensating Balance, Breguet Hair Spring, Micrometric Regulator, Patent Safety Barrel with Spring Box Rigidly Mounted on Bridge, Barrel Arbor Pivots Running in Jewels, Display Winidng Work, Patent Recoiling Click, Patent Self-Locking Setting Device, Double Sunk Glass Enamel Dial, Dust Ring, Plates Beautifully Damakseened, Closely Timed and Finely Finished Throughout. Source: 1904BAC |
The Grade 214 Veritas was the first "Veritas" watch movement introduced by the Elgin National Watch Company. Some early runs, c.1901-1902, are mixed with movements marked "Elgin Natl. Watch Co.," removing approximately 1,000 units from the 214 Veritas production totals. Additionally, two runs have been identified as being terminated early, removing about 1,300 units from the estimated totals indicated by factory serial lists. Around 1905, the inlay was changed from black to gold. Some movements began being additionally marked "Adjusted 5 Positions" around 1907. Factory records show this marking became standard with #1,5475,001 (c.1912).
Est. Production Years: | 1900 - 1911 | Introduced: | March 1901 |
Size: | 18 |
Model: | 8 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 21 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | ~17,900 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 53.89 |
Grade Profile Code: | 18s-M8-21j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas/Mixed | Catalog Description: | Veritas (No. 239). O.F. Only, Lever Set.
Nickel, 21 Fine Ruby Jewels (Raised Gold Settings), Adjusted to Temperature, Isochronishm and Positions, Quick Train with Gold Wheels, Straight Line Double Roller Escapement with Steel Escape Wheel, Pallet Arbor and Escape Pinion Cone Pivoted and Cap Jeweled, Exposed Pallets, Compensating Balance, Breguet Hair Spring, Micrometric Regulator, Patent Safety Barrel with Spring Box Rigidly Mounted on Bridge, Display Winidng Work, Patent Recoiling Click, Patent Self-Locking Setting Device, Double Sunk Glass Enamel Dial, Dust Ring, Damakseened Plates, Closely Timed and Finely Finished Throughout. Source: 1904BAC |
Several production adaptations increase the complexity when attempting to calculate estimated production totals for Grade 239 movements. The last ~100 movements of the 13th run, produced c.1905, were marked "No. 349" instead of "Veritas," removing 100 units from the estimated total "Veritas" production. Approximately half of the 1,000 movements from the 16th run were also marked "No. 349" instead of "Veritas," splitting another 500 units. The last run of Grade 239 movements is considered to be entirely marked "No. 349." That run was terminated early after only 300 units were manufactured. Another run of 500 units around c.1910 was blocked but never fulfilled based on statistical analysis. After removing the units that were scheduled but never actualized in production, the estimated total production for all Grade 239 movements is 18,800. Two mixed runs account for approximately split production of ~600 "No. 349" movements and ~1,400 "Veritas" movements. When the end-of-production run of ~300 "No. 349" movements is added, we arrive at the following estimated production for each variant: Veritas: ~17,900 No. 349: ~900 By 1905, some movements were additionally marked "Adjusted 5 Positions." This marking became standard around 1912. The inlay color was changed from black to gold around 1905, similar to the modification on the Grade 214 Veritas.
Est. Production Years: | 1903 - 1905 |
Size: | 18 |
Model: | 9 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Hunting |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 21 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | 1,373 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 4.13 |
Grade Profile Code: | 18s-M9-21j-HNL-A5PTI-Mixed |
This grade was finished with a variety of names. According to factory records, only 1,373 Grade 274 movements were finished with the "Veritas" name. The Grade 274 represents the only hunting configuration movement marked "Veritas" produced at the Elgin factory.
Est. Production Years: | 1905 - 1908 |
Size: | 16 |
Model: | 9 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 21 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | 3,450 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 10.38 | Replaced By Grade: | 360 |
Grade Profile Code: | 16s-M9-21j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas | Catalog Description: | No. 270, O.F., Lever Set.
Nickel. 21 Fine Ruby Jewels (Gold Settings), Adjusted to Temperature, Isochronism and Positions, Quick Train with Gold Wheels, Straight Line Escapement with Steel Escape Wheel, Pallet Arbor and Escape Pinion Cone Pivoted and Cap Jeweled, Exposed Pallets, Compensating Balance, Breguet Hair Spring, Micrometric Regulator, Display Winding work, Patent Recoiling Click, Patent Self-Locking Setting Device, Double Sunk Glass Enamel Dial, Dust Ring, Engraving Inlaid with Gold, Damaskeened Plates, Closely Timed and Finelty Finished Throughout, Lever Set. Source: 1904BAC |
The Grade 270 started production with "Elgin Nat'l Watch Co." and "No. 270" markings. Around 1905, this grade was modified to feature "Veritas" markings, accounting for the last five production runs (3,450 movements). Two Grade 270 runs have been identified as terminating early. However, both runs are before the transition to the "Veritas" marking. Replaced by the G360 in 1908. The "No. 270" variant accounts for 8,550 units.
Est. Production Years: | 1907 - 1909 |
Size: | 16 |
Model: | 13 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 23 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | 1,000 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 3.01 |
Grade Profile Code: | 16s-M13-23j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas | Catalog Description: | Veritas, O.F. Nickel.
Lever Setting, for Railroad Service, Pendant Winding, Twenty-three ruby and sapphire jewels. Gold jewel settings. Barrel arbor pivots running in jewels. Double-roller escapement. Steel escape wheel. Exposed sapphire pallet stones. Pallet arbor cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Escape pinion cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Compensating balance. Breguet hair-spring, with Micrometric regulator. Adjusted to temperature, isochronism, five positions. Safety barrel with spring box rigidly mounted on bridge. Exposed winding wheels. Patent recoiling click and self-locking setting device. Dust ring. Double-sunk glass enamel dial. Engraving inlaid with gold. Plates beautifully damaskeened. Closely timed and finely finished throughout. Source: 1910ACB |
23-Jewel "Sister Grade" to the 21-Jewel G360. This grade represents the first 16-Size 23-Jewel Veritas offered by Elgin. The Grade 350 Veritas was only produced as a single run of 1,000. As a result, this grade, along with the Grade 360, is one of the rarest "Veritas" standard-production variants.
Est. Production Years: | 1908 - 1909 |
Size: | 16 |
Model: | 13 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 21 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | 1,000 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 3.01 | Replaced Grade: | 375 |
Grade Profile Code: | 16s-M13-21j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas | Catalog Description: | Veritas, O.F. Nickel.
Lever Setting, for Railroad Service, Pendant Winding, Twenty-one ruby and sapphire jewels. Gold jewel settings. Double-roller escapement. Steel escape wheel. Exposed sapphire pallet stones. Pallet arbor cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Escape pinion cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Compensating balance. Breguet hair-spring, with Micrometric regulator. Adjusted to temperature, isochronism, five positions. Exposed winding wheels. Patent recoiling click and self-locking setting device. Dust ring. Double-sunk glass enamel dial. Engraving inlaid with gold. Plates beautifully damaskeened. Closely timed and finely finished throughout. Source: 1910ACB |
21-Jewel "Sister Grade" to the 23-Jewel G350. Replaced the G270 around 1908. The Grade 360 Veritas was only produced as a single run of 1,000. As a result, this grade, along with the Grade 350, is one of the rarest Veritas variations. The Grade 360 was replaced by the G375, which was a revised model that featured a safety barrel.
Est. Production Years: | 1910 - 1912 |
Size: | 16 |
Model: | 15 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 21 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | ~2,050 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 6.17 |
Grade Profile Code: | 16s-M15-21j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas/Mixed | Catalog Description: | Veritas, O.F., Nickel
Lever Setting, for Railroad Service. Pendant Winding. Twenty-one ruby and sapphire jewels. Gold jewel settings. Double-roller escapement. Steel escape wheel. Exposed sapphire pallet stones. Pallet arbor cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Escape pinion cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Compensating balance. Breguet hair-spring, with Micrometric regulator. Adjusted to temperature, isochronism, five positions. Exposed winding wheels. Patent recoiling click and self-locking setting device. Dust ring. Double-sunk glass enamel dial. Engraving inlaid with gold. Plates beautifully damaskeened. Closely timed and finely finished throughout. Source: 1912COC |
21-Jewel "Sister Grade" to the 23-Jewel G376. Statistical analysis suggests the second run was terminated after approximately 50 units, resulting in 950 movements being removed from estimated totals suggested by factory serial lists. Unlike the early termination of the second Grade 376 run, these movements appear to be lever-set, consistent with other Grade 375 production. #15163024 has been verified as lever-set. The last two runs are mixed with movements marked "Father Time." The second to last run is split approximately 800/200, with Veritas accounting for 80% of the run and Father Time accounting for the remaining 20%. The last run suggests a reverse 200/800 split, with Veritas accounting for 20% of the run and Father Time accounting for the remaining 20%. For this reason, the production totals for the 375 Veritas have been further reduced by 1,000 units. While the marking content remained the same throughout production, the style and placement were modified. From c.1910-1911, the balance cock was marked "Adjusted" while "5 Positions" was marked on the barrel bridge. Around 1911, this was changed, and the barrel bridge was marked "Adjusted 5 Positions" above the barrel, while the balance cock no longer featured any markings other than decorative engravings.
Est. Production Years: | 1910 - 1918 |
Size: | 16 |
Model: | 15 |
Setting: | Lever/pendant |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 23 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | 7,050 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 21.22 | Replaced By Grade: | 453 |
Grade Profile Code: | 16s-M15-23j-ONL/ONP-A5PTI-Veritas | Catalog Description: | Veritas, O.F., Nickel
Lever Setting, for Railroad Service. Pendant Winding. Twenty-three ruby and sapphire jewels. Gold jewel settings. Barrel arbor pivots running in jewels. Double-roller escapement. Steel escape wheel. Exposed sapphire pallet stones. Pallet arbor cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Escape pinion cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled. Compensating balance. Breguet hair-spring, with Micrometric regulator. Adjusted to temperature, isochronism, five positions. Safety barrel with spring box rigidly mounted on bridge. Exposed winding wheels. Patent recoiling click and self-locking setting device. Dust ring. Double-sunk glass enamel dial. Engraving inlaid with gold. Plates beautifully damaskeened. Closely timed and finely finished throughout. Source: 1912COC |
23-Jewel "Sister Grade" to the 21-Jewel G375. Replaced by G453. The most prominent modifications were made to the jewels, settings, and screws. It appears that the factory intended to produce a pendant-set version of the 376 Veritas, evident in the early production of the second run. #15164045 and #15164048 have been reported as pendant-set watches. Based on statistical analysis, the second run was terminated after approximately 50 units, subsequently removing 950 movements from the 376 production totals. Run analysis also indicates the last two runs were also terminated early, resulting in approximately 1,000 units being removed from estimated totals suggested by factory serial lists. All Grade 376 are marked "Veritas." While the marking content remained the same throughout production, the style and placement were modified. From c.1910-1911, the balance cock was marked "Adjusted" while "5 Positions" was marked on the barrel bridge. Around 1911, this was changed, and the barrel bridge was marked "Adjusted 5 Positions" above the barrel, while the balance cock no longer featured any markings other than decorative engravings. Around 1917, the style was modified again with "Veritas" and "Elgin, U.S.A." marked in a serif style instead of the fancy "Veritas." The other markings were adapted to match this style as well, and "Elgin Nat'l Watch Co." was marked on the pillar plate under the balance wheel. Some Grade 376 Veritas movements were fitted with a wind indicator.
Est. Production Years: | 1918 - 1923 |
Size: | 16 |
Model: | 15 |
Setting: | Lever |
Configuration: | Openface |
Movement Finish: | Nickel |
Jewels: | 23 |
Adjustments: | Temperature, Isochronism, & 5 Positions |
Total Production: | 9,000 |
PWDB Rarity Index: | 27.09 | Replaced Grade: | 376 |
Grade Profile Code: | 16s-M15-23j-ONL-A5PTI-Veritas | Catalog Description: | Veritas, O.F. Nickel
Lever Setting for Railroad Service, Pendant Winding. Twenty-three ruby and sapphire jewels. Gold jewel settings. Barrel arbor pivots running in jewels. Double-roller escapement. Steel escape wheel. Exposed sapphire pallet stones. Compensating balance. Micrometric regulator. Adjusted to temperature, isochronism, five positions. Safety barrel. Patent recoiling click and self-locking setting device. Deouble-bunk glass enamel dial. Engraving inlaid with gold. Plates beautifully damaskeened. Closely timed and finely finished throughout. Source: 1920ACB |
Replaced G376. The most prominent modifications were made to the jewels, settings, and screws. All Grade 453 are marked "Veritas." Around 1920, the marking style was updated, and the "Veritas" name was engraved with a fancier script-like style instead of the basic serif style. This style continued throughout the remainder of production.
Grade Number | Est. Production Years | Size | Model | Setting | Configuration | Movement Finish | Jewels | Adjustments | Est. Production |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
214 | 1900 - 1912 | 18 | 8 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 23 | A5PTI | 21,700 |
239 | 1900 - 1911 | 18 | 8 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 21 | A5PTI | 17,900 |
274 | 1903 - 1905 | 18 | 9 | Lever | Hunting | Nickel | 21 | A5PTI | 1,373 |
270 | 1905 - 1908 | 16 | 9 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 21 | A5PTI | 3,450 |
350 | 1907 - 1909 | 16 | 13 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 23 | A5PTI | 1,000 |
360 | 1908 - 1909 | 16 | 13 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 21 | A5PTI | 1,000 |
375 | 1910 - 1912 | 16 | 15 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 21 | A5PTI | 2,050 |
376 | 1910 - 1918 | 16 | 15 | Lever/pendant | Openface | Nickel | 23 | A5PTI | 7,050 |
453 | 1918 - 1923 | 16 | 15 | Lever | Openface | Nickel | 23 | A5PTI | 9,000 |
Est. Total Production: | 64,523 |
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.